Water temp sender ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 82
Water temp sender ?
My water temp gauge wasn’t working. I grounded out the sensed at the block and the gauge went to full temp reading.
I’m guessing the gauge and associated wiring is ok. I’ve read that the newer style water temp sensors are often faulty, what supplier do you guys recommend?
I’m guessing the gauge and associated wiring is ok. I’ve read that the newer style water temp sensors are often faulty, what supplier do you guys recommend?
Race Director
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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I just ran a similar thread on this just a couple weeks ago. In the end I found the Corvette vendor supplied temp sender was garbage. Craig chimed in to point out he had tested several different ones and the one from a major Corvette supplier was the very worst. I think he did come up with a part number for one for the earlier cars. It'll be in the "What have you done to your Corvette today". Tread in the general section In the last 2 weeks.
bottom line. Best bet is call a salvage yard for a good used one.
bottom line. Best bet is call a salvage yard for a good used one.
Drifting
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From: Wisconsin
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I bought one for less than $20 at advance auto parts just the other dat to replace the 25 year old one...that also came from advanced Auto parts
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
my replacement junk read fine at 185. One would think it's good. But at 195 it read 230. And at 198 it read 250 which was freaking me out. But it read fine at normal temp. Then swung way wide as temps went up slightly. Buyer beware!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Thunder Bay
Last sender I got came from the local auto parts store. Worked fine but the calibration was out to lunch. I bought the kit to adjust the temp reading that Willcox was selling at the time. Worked great, but of course Willcox is no more. Does anyone know if anyone is selling that kit now?
Race Director
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From: Virginia
One thing I've never seen (and I've looked!) is a spec sheet for what the resistance curve is intended to be for the OEM sensor.
The 2-wire sensor I bought to independently measure temp (and requires a specific circuit and an Arduino or similar to read), is dead-nuts accurate. And I could find the spec sheet.
It seems that the secret sauce of the 1-wire sensors was lost 40 years ago. I'd love to see even a spreadsheet of resistance values plotted against temp for the sensors available today.
The 2-wire sensor I bought to independently measure temp (and requires a specific circuit and an Arduino or similar to read), is dead-nuts accurate. And I could find the spec sheet.
It seems that the secret sauce of the 1-wire sensors was lost 40 years ago. I'd love to see even a spreadsheet of resistance values plotted against temp for the sensors available today.
Instructor
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From: Liberty Island
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '22
I get it.
do you remember maker and p/n?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Little Rock AR
I tested the one I have for my '80 using a ohm meter and a pot of water on the stove. Had maybe 2,000 plus ohms at room temperature and dropped down to about 200 ohms as the temp rised close to boiling. Seems like it's working.
If I needed a new one, I would buy it from Lectric Limited.
If I needed a new one, I would buy it from Lectric Limited.
Race Director
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From: Virginia
Perhaps this will be the thread that finally answers this question.
Lectric Limited has three different senders for our cars.
68-71:
https://www.lectriclimited.com/catal.../category/734/
72-78:
https://www.lectriclimited.com/catal.../category/734/
79-80:
https://www.lectriclimited.com/tempe...ng-unit-117694
I couldn't find any for 81 or 82, at least not listed on their site. I suspect the 79-80 sensor would work for those years for the gauge, combined with the 2-wire sensor that you can get from RockAuto for the ECM (this is what I'm using for my own Arduino temp gauge).
They didn't post the spec sheet, but they do make a big point that they have done the math.
Lectric Limited has three different senders for our cars.
68-71:
https://www.lectriclimited.com/catal.../category/734/
72-78:
https://www.lectriclimited.com/catal.../category/734/
79-80:
https://www.lectriclimited.com/tempe...ng-unit-117694
I couldn't find any for 81 or 82, at least not listed on their site. I suspect the 79-80 sensor would work for those years for the gauge, combined with the 2-wire sensor that you can get from RockAuto for the ECM (this is what I'm using for my own Arduino temp gauge).
They didn't post the spec sheet, but they do make a big point that they have done the math.
Originally Posted by Lectric Limited Website
...
Through the years, we have found that although auto parts stores and GM/Delco do sell replacement temperature sending units, quite often they do not produce an accurate gauge reading in vintage vehicles.
Lectric Limited's exclusive temperature sending units are NOT generic replacements. They have been manufactured in strict accordance to the original manufacturer's blueprint specifications and tolerances.
Lectric Limited has devoted months of research into temperature sending units in order to provide our customers with sending units that have the original-type terminal connection, original size housing and original specification inner components, and most importantly the correct thermistor (temperature variable resistor). This attention to detail results in an accurate gauge reading (assuming that your electrical system, grounds, and gauges are working properly, and that your gauges are original, or manufactured to the original specifications).
...
Through the years, we have found that although auto parts stores and GM/Delco do sell replacement temperature sending units, quite often they do not produce an accurate gauge reading in vintage vehicles.
Lectric Limited's exclusive temperature sending units are NOT generic replacements. They have been manufactured in strict accordance to the original manufacturer's blueprint specifications and tolerances.
Lectric Limited has devoted months of research into temperature sending units in order to provide our customers with sending units that have the original-type terminal connection, original size housing and original specification inner components, and most importantly the correct thermistor (temperature variable resistor). This attention to detail results in an accurate gauge reading (assuming that your electrical system, grounds, and gauges are working properly, and that your gauges are original, or manufactured to the original specifications).
...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 82
I installed my Lectric limited water temp sensor today and thought I would be moving past this issue , no dice!
To review,I’m getting full water temp indications when I ground the old and me (Lectric limited) sensor. When the engine gets to what I’m guessing is 185 to 200 degrees, it’s just barely moving off of the lower limit.
Are you thinking new gauge at this point? I have had the gauge cluster out, os it possible that there is a wire off with these indications?
To review,I’m getting full water temp indications when I ground the old and me (Lectric limited) sensor. When the engine gets to what I’m guessing is 185 to 200 degrees, it’s just barely moving off of the lower limit.
Are you thinking new gauge at this point? I have had the gauge cluster out, os it possible that there is a wire off with these indications?
