Air Temperature Sensor....What the?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 201
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From: The Ham AL
Air Temperature Sensor....What the?
Okay, I have an 89 car with an 85 plenum. When I unscrewed what should be an air flow sensor from the underside of the plenum, it appeared to be a coolant sensor (metal probe). Come to find out that the local dealer and NAPA store offered me the same sensor I have when I went to try and purchase the one with the plastic probe. Mid America shows the two sensors and the plastic probe is only for hte 85 model.
Can anyone out there verify (1) that I should use the one I have which is the metal probe and (2) should I purchase the plastic probe since I have an 85 plenum?
I am leaning towards just using what I have because I have no sign of a code being thrown due to failure.
Can anyone out there verify (1) that I should use the one I have which is the metal probe and (2) should I purchase the plastic probe since I have an 85 plenum?
I am leaning towards just using what I have because I have no sign of a code being thrown due to failure.
Last edited by mcfack; Aug 27, 2008 at 07:15 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 96
From: Magnolia Tx
The sensor resistance curves are the same. The metal sensor may be
slightly slower to respond, but my '89Formula has that type of sensor
and did when i got it. I don't datalog, but the car runs fine. I noticed
it when i pulled the plenum to replace the EGR valve. benny
slightly slower to respond, but my '89Formula has that type of sensor
and did when i got it. I don't datalog, but the car runs fine. I noticed
it when i pulled the plenum to replace the EGR valve. benny
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 520
Likes: 6
From: Elverson PA
I used the later style sensor in my '85, I left the original in the plenum to fill the hole, then bought one of those relocation kits and put the new sensor in the "power coupler". That is the hose they sell to replace the accordion tube. I have since been told that this is a complete waste of money for an '85 because it supposedly doesn't change anything by moving it to the cooler location. It is supposed to help in later cars, but I don't know what the cut off is, and really don't remember the details. It was probably 6 yrs ago on this forum that I read this.
I don't know if it helped, but my car runs pretty good for the little things I have on it.
I don't know if it helped, but my car runs pretty good for the little things I have on it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,298
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
I used the later style sensor in my '85, I left the original in the plenum to fill the hole, then bought one of those relocation kits and put the new sensor in the "power coupler". That is the hose they sell to replace the accordion tube. I have since been told that this is a complete waste of money for an '85 because it supposedly doesn't change anything by moving it to the cooler location. It is supposed to help in later cars, but I don't know what the cut off is, and really don't remember the details. It was probably 6 yrs ago on this forum that I read this.
I don't know if it helped, but my car runs pretty good for the little things I have on it.
I don't know if it helped, but my car runs pretty good for the little things I have on it.
