Where does the Engine Temp Display get its info from?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 108
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From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Where does the Engine Temp Display get its info from?
I'm sure the ECM is involved in the process but what I really want to know is What sensor tells the ECM what temperature to display on my dash?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: The Motor City
Originally Posted by Big *****
I'm sure the ECM is involved in the process but what I really want to know is What sensor tells the ECM what temperature to display on my dash?
Large Impressive Member
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
The engine temp sensor gives the info to the computer and the readout gets it from that. The gauge has a sending unit so the readings are separate from the readout.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by aboatguy
On a 1995 input from the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor (ECT) is what provides the tempurature displayed on the analog guage
The digital temp display originates with the ECT sensor. On an LT1/4 this sensor is located in the water pump. The analog gauge receives its input from the sending unit located in the cylinder head. On an LT1/4, the sending unit is in the passenger side cylinder head.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by 96GS#007
Better re-read the manual
The digital temp display originates with the ECT sensor. On an LT1/4 this sensor is located in the water pump. The analog gauge receives its input from the sending unit located in the cylinder head. On an LT1/4, the sending unit is in the passenger side cylinder head.
The digital temp display originates with the ECT sensor. On an LT1/4 this sensor is located in the water pump. The analog gauge receives its input from the sending unit located in the cylinder head. On an LT1/4, the sending unit is in the passenger side cylinder head.
If you say so, however, my book (Helms page 6B-6) had the following paragraph which led me to believe its the ECT
"ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE (ECT) SENSOR" The gage coolant temperature is a variable resistance device. The resistance of the sensor will determine the position of the coolant gage. As the temperature increases , the sensor resistance decreases allowing more current to flow through the gage causing a higher temperature reading.
Notice it says position of the gage and not temp read out!!!
Is this another HELMS mistake?
Mike
Last edited by aboatguy; Dec 4, 2005 at 06:39 PM.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by aboatguy
If you say so, however, my book (Helms page 6B-6) had the following paragraph which led me to believe its the ECT
"ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE (ECT) SENSOR" The gage coolant temperature is a variable resistance device. The resistance of the sensor will determine the position of the coolant gage. As the temperature increases , the sensor resistance decreases allowing more current to flow through the gage causing a higher temperature reading.
Notice it says position of the gage and not temp read out!!!
Is this another HELMS mistake?
Mike
"ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE (ECT) SENSOR" The gage coolant temperature is a variable resistance device. The resistance of the sensor will determine the position of the coolant gage. As the temperature increases , the sensor resistance decreases allowing more current to flow through the gage causing a higher temperature reading.
Notice it says position of the gage and not temp read out!!!
Is this another HELMS mistake?
Mike
But I still had the readout until I got it fixed. They may be calling the one in the head a sensor whereas I would call it a sender. Either way, their description how it works is correct.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
I don't know but when the sender in the head no workied, my analog gauge no workied either! But I still had the readout until I got it fixed. They may be calling the one in the head a sensor whereas I would call it a sender. Either way, their description how it works is correct.
But I still had the readout until I got it fixed. They may be calling the one in the head a sensor whereas I would call it a sender. Either way, their description how it works is correct.Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego, Ca
'89 gets it's gage readout from the sender in the right head between 6 & 8. It's a thermistor in that resistance decreases as it warms up. Disconnect and the gage should read LO. Ground the lead against the block and it should show about 300 and the red warning light should come on. Neither test speaks to the accuracy of the sender, but will verify the integrity of the wire and the display. Best to compare it's read with the Coolant Temp Sensor signal (located on the intake below the throttle body). You do that with a scanner and they should be within a couple of degrees of the other. Otherwise, if you think the gage sender is bad, simply replace it. They're fairly inexpensive and NAPA stocks it. Just be sure to buy a gallon of coolant too.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 108
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From: Virginia Beach Virginia
I disconnected the sensor in the right head and the display went to LO, so I see where the display reading come from. SO, What is the purpose of the Coolant Temp Sensor below the throttle body ('89 Coupe)?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
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From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by Big *****
I disconnected the sensor in the right head and the display went to LO, so I see where the display reading come from. SO, What is the purpose of the Coolant Temp Sensor below the throttle body ('89 Coupe)?
