C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Engine Temp Sensor

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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 02:09 AM
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Default Engine Temp Sensor

In cleaning my engine bay and wiring, I've found a quick fix someone has done which needs to be done right. It looks like the one wire connector has gotten smashed at some time and was replaced by a two wire connector. They have wired one into the old existing one wire connector and the other wire into a positive power wire to the fuel pump. See pics below.

Questions- Can the one wire connector be found? Can I not splice this back into the original wire and remove the two wire splice? What do you think?

Drivers side of engine between 1 and 3 cylinders.


Old smashed connector with black wire spliced in.


Red wire spliced into fuel pump power.
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 02:15 AM
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That is an aftermarket low temperature fan switch that a previous owner installed to turn the fans on sooner. It taps into the fan relay harness. Those quick splice connectors and that two wire plug came in the kit.

http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-3-138-944.html

Single or dual fan on your car? If dual, he replaced the stock "auxillary" fan switch right there between #1 and #3 with the new switch and two wire harness. If single fan, he removed a factory pipe plug and added the switch.

Your guage temp sender is on the opposite side between 6 and 8. The temp sender for the computer is threaded into the intake manifold.

Last edited by 86PACER; Dec 1, 2009 at 02:20 AM.
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 06:35 AM
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Originally Posted by 89Corvette6spdFX3
Can the one wire connector be found?
Mike @ EFI Connection has what you want
http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonn..._pigtails.aspx

Same connector as knock sensor
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 09:01 AM
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Why would a low temp switch require power, when it sends ground back to fan relay ??
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 09:06 AM
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You should be able to pick up that pig tail connector from your local parts supplier. Mine was able to have it in the next day.
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 11:53 AM
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My car does have the dual fans. I've asked a guy at napa but he didn't think he had it. I can ask for a knock sensor connector though, maybe he could find that.

I've had a new chip programed when the car was tuned after the new engine. The tuner set the fans to come on earlier. Do I still need this connector?
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 12:06 PM
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Depends on how it was wired. The ECM does not normally control the fan in front of the radiator.

Originally Posted by 89Corvette6spdFX3
My car does have the dual fans. I've asked a guy at napa but he didn't think he had it. I can ask for a knock sensor connector though, maybe he could find that.

I've had a new chip programed when the car was tuned after the new engine. The tuner set the fans to come on earlier. Do I still need this connector?
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 12:58 AM
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Is the harness what really makes the difference or the sensor?

If my temp sensor is original, then would a two wire harness turn the fan on faster? Wouldn't I need a different sensor? And if the sensor is the aftermarket, wouldn't it still turn on the fan with the original harness at the lowered temp? I'm just not seeing the reason for installing the two wire system. But I'm no wiring expert for sure! Can someone explain?
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 01:32 AM
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Originally Posted by AGENT 86
Why would a low temp switch require power, when it sends ground back to fan relay ??
In this instance it looks as if the one switch has been used to turn on both fans
(both wires go to ground when closed )
The red to the main fan relay ground and the black cut into the Aux fan ground wire
This is a option in the install instructions for two wire switches
http://www.ecklers.com/assets/pdf/40416.pdf?

Last edited by rodj; Dec 2, 2009 at 01:42 AM.
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 01:38 AM
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Originally Posted by 89Corvette6spdFX3
Is the harness what really makes the difference or the sensor? I'm just not seeing the reason for installing the two wire system.
See above

Originally Posted by 89Corvette6spdFX3
And if the sensor is the aftermarket, wouldn't it still turn on the fan with the original harness at the lowered temp?
Yes but only the aux fan ; unless it is wired as yours is at present grounding out
both relays at the same time
You have the green wire from front so you must have the Aux fan.It is only controlled by whatever switch is installed in the shown location ; not by the computer which only controls main fan
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 08:26 AM
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Originally Posted by rodj
In this instance it looks as if the one switch has been used to turn on both fans
(both wires go to ground when closed )
The red to the main fan relay ground and the black cut into the Aux fan ground wire
This is a option in the install instructions for two wire switches
http://www.ecklers.com/assets/pdf/40416.pdf?
I'm aware of being able to control both fans with one switch, but as you said, they are supposed to go to the coil ground on both relays. The pic shows the red wire being spliced into a factory red wire. I'm not 100% sure on where the 89 main fan relay is located, I always thought it was on the inner fender, like my 86, and used a dark green wire to trigger relay.
The OP says it's wired into his fuel pump relay, when looking at his pic, it's exactly where my fuel pump relay is.
I just can't see why those wires aren't fried.
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 09:01 AM
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I think maybe they just used the original grounding wire as a positive source because the wire was already installed, and put a new relay in somewhere.
That's what it looks like.
In effect, the fuel pump relay provides power to the temp sensor location, and the new relay uses that power to run the fans, if the "kit" installs a relay and grounds the wire near the fan(s)
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 02:23 PM
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IMO it's probably not a great idea to turn both fans on simultaneously at a low temp. I turn my aux fan on in my 1989 early at @ 200* and left the main fan control to the ECM at the stock temp. That has worked great for the last two years.
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by 89Corvette6spdFX3
I've asked a guy at napa but he didn't think he had it. I can ask for a knock sensor connector though, maybe he could find that.
http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonn..._pigtails.aspx
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Old Dec 3, 2009 | 10:19 PM
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Yes you alredy posted that, thanks. I'll see if I can get it locall first.
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