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coolant temperature sensor

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Old May 26, 2020 | 01:30 PM
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Default coolant temperature sensor

Only posts I see are very old so posting again for information.

I have a 1980 L-48. I think the current sensor is bad as the gauge tests good. The current sensor has a "button" connector and all I find as a replacement have the blade connector. The sensor wire appears to be factory and has the button connector on it. The only sensors I find with button connector are for older model C3s. Do I use an older sensor or get the one with the blade and change the end on my wire.
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Old May 26, 2020 | 02:30 PM
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My L48 80 has a spade connector on that sender. But so do the "correct" sending units at Zip:

https://www.zip-corvette.com/79-80-t...ding-unit.html

Interestingly, taking the GM Part number, 8993372, and entering it at RockAuto, shows senders with spade connectors as well.

The "correct" harness also expects a blade-type connection.

https://www.zip-corvette.com/77l-82-...ss-repair.html

Is it possible your engine/heads are not original? Or perhaps just your sender?

Last edited by Bikespace; May 26, 2020 at 02:33 PM.
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Old May 26, 2020 | 02:47 PM
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I'm not 100% certain, but I believe the connector body on your harness will work with both button and spade terminals.
Worth a look see.
​​see.
Jeff
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Old May 26, 2020 | 02:52 PM
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FYI
I just went through this on my '69.
The plastic protector on my wire clip had disintegrated so I bought a new pig tail also. Before changing the sensor, I tried grounding the wire clip and nothing happened (should have done this before buying a new sensor). So I spliced in the pig tail first and the gauge worked. Somewhere in the 1ft of open wire from the harness to the sensor the wire had failed. It looked fine on the outside.
Anyway, check your wire first.
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Old May 26, 2020 | 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Sayfoo
FYI
I just went through this on my '69.
The plastic protector on my wire clip had disintegrated so I bought a new pig tail also. Before changing the sensor, I tried grounding the wire clip and nothing happened (should have done this before buying a new sensor). So I spliced in the pig tail first and the gauge worked. Somewhere in the 1ft of open wire from the harness to the sensor the wire had failed. It looked fine on the outside.
Anyway, check your wire first.

Thanks, wire and gauge is good. Needle pegs when wire is grounded. Guess I’ll just change the plug. I ordered new sensor from Zip Corvettr
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Old May 27, 2020 | 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by nearflack
Thanks, wire and gauge is good. Needle pegs when wire is grounded. Guess I’ll just change the plug. I ordered new sensor from Zip Corvettr
Call Willcox first. I needed a smaller NPT thread on my 68 for an aluminum head I didnt want to drill and tap. The labor is fair if you need something like that done, but you should call and see if he has exactly what you want in stock.
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