Help needed ASAP with an '85 coolant sensor
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 430
Likes: 2
From: Sellersville, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Help needed ASAP with an '85 coolant sensor
UPDATE:
It is the tranny, probably from the cooling lines. Not much is on the ground but it is red and smells burnt.
Thanks for the help though, and unfortunately is not something easy to fix at work. So off to the tow truck thank god for AAA Plus.
This morning on the way into work right before I pulled into the lot there was white smoke pouring out of my hood, so I rushed into a spot and popped the hood. By the time I parked the smoke was gone but it looks like the wire to the coolant sensor in the passenger side head is missing.
My questions are is the sensor for the gauge or the computer, and if I attempt to drive home will this cause any over heating problems? It will be low 90's in Philly and I don't want to get stranded in shore traffic tonight on the way home.
It seems to me like the fan was on even thought the temp said it was 216 after sitting at the traffic light, which is something I would expect and also since the gauge is working that leads me to believe the sensor is for the computer.
Sorry for the long post and any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bob
It is the tranny, probably from the cooling lines. Not much is on the ground but it is red and smells burnt.
Thanks for the help though, and unfortunately is not something easy to fix at work. So off to the tow truck thank god for AAA Plus.
This morning on the way into work right before I pulled into the lot there was white smoke pouring out of my hood, so I rushed into a spot and popped the hood. By the time I parked the smoke was gone but it looks like the wire to the coolant sensor in the passenger side head is missing.
My questions are is the sensor for the gauge or the computer, and if I attempt to drive home will this cause any over heating problems? It will be low 90's in Philly and I don't want to get stranded in shore traffic tonight on the way home.
It seems to me like the fan was on even thought the temp said it was 216 after sitting at the traffic light, which is something I would expect and also since the gauge is working that leads me to believe the sensor is for the computer.
Sorry for the long post and any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bob
Last edited by newcastle3; Aug 4, 2006 at 12:24 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Gansevoort NY
The sensor in the passenger side head is a redundant fan switch in the event the main temp sensor fails (which on our 85 is in the front of the intake manifold)or ecu fails. It will activate the cooling fans when temps exceed its preset limit to continue cooling the car. I dont know if you'll get a code if it is not connected. As long as your ecu and main coolant sensor are working properly I dont think you'll have a problem.
Last edited by 85C4fanatic; Aug 4, 2006 at 10:37 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 430
Likes: 2
From: Sellersville, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Thanks for the quick response.
I have no codes showing which seemed odd to me since I thought it was for the computer.
But if it is a redundant fan switch then I don't see any issues since the fan seems to work, also no aux fan for me. At my luch break I will be able to investigate further.
Thanks again
I have no codes showing which seemed odd to me since I thought it was for the computer.
But if it is a redundant fan switch then I don't see any issues since the fan seems to work, also no aux fan for me. At my luch break I will be able to investigate further.
Thanks again
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
The switch is redundant IF you have no auxiliary fan. If you have an auxiliary fan, that is your auxiliary fan switch, and the only means of activating it. As super cautious person, before you leave work, turn the ignition to "On" and ground the wire to the switch. That will cause whatever fan it controls, to run. Again, as a super precaution, especially if it only ran the main fan (no auxiliary fan on the car), ground that wire before you head for home. That will cause whichever fan to run constantly, normally not a great idea but that is safer than not coming on at all. Also, before you leave for home, check and top off your cooling system. That white smoke had to be exhausting coolant.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Last edited by CFI-EFI; Aug 4, 2006 at 10:56 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
at this point, I would be more concerned about the white smoke. It sounds like something has ruptured.
Check all hoses... this will require you to crawl under the car and check the lines to the oil cooler. Also check for puddles under the car.
You don't want to be driving that thing on a hot summer day, with a questionable cooling system.
Check all hoses... this will require you to crawl under the car and check the lines to the oil cooler. Also check for puddles under the car.
You don't want to be driving that thing on a hot summer day, with a questionable cooling system.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 430
Likes: 2
From: Sellersville, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
I replaced all of the cooling hoses last year, and I did notice that the connector was loose for the switch when I replaced the pass. exhaust manifold a few months ago. Since the wire is now missing and it smelled like burnt wire insulation I would think that was the cause of the smoke.
Also I have no aux fan, just the main one. So if that is the case it should operate normal, but I wanted to ground it can I use the ALDL plug with a paper clip? If so what pins?
Also I have no aux fan, just the main one. So if that is the case it should operate normal, but I wanted to ground it can I use the ALDL plug with a paper clip? If so what pins?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by newcastle3
I replaced all of the cooling hoses last year, and I did notice that the connector was loose for the switch when I replaced the pass. exhaust manifold a few months ago. Since the wire is now missing and it smelled like burnt wire insulation I would think that was the cause of the smoke.
Originally Posted by newcastle3
Also I have no aux fan, just the main one. So if that is the case it should operate normal, but I wanted to ground it can I use the ALDL plug with a paper clip? If so what pins?
RACE ON!!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
