What sensor is this?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 462
Likes: 21
From: Kansas City Missouri
What sensor is this?
No one seems to be able to replace this sensor for me and they don't know what it is. It is on the drivers side and actually screws into the heads. We have looked up oil temp sensors. One guy thought that it might be a knock sensor, but I don't think either of those are right. What do you think?
Last edited by Bensons86; Sep 11, 2010 at 10:22 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
That is the coolant fan temp switch. Input from this sensor goes to the ECM which sends a signal to the fan realy to turn it on/off depending on coolant temp.
On the passenger side cylinder hear, that sensor is one of the coolant temperature sender; There is another coolant temp sensor at the front of the intake manifold under the throttle body.
The oil temp sensor should be above the oil filter. The knock sensors will be just above the oil pan rail next to the motor mounts. Their wil be a small metal heat shield over the knock sensor.
On the passenger side cylinder hear, that sensor is one of the coolant temperature sender; There is another coolant temp sensor at the front of the intake manifold under the throttle body.
The oil temp sensor should be above the oil filter. The knock sensors will be just above the oil pan rail next to the motor mounts. Their wil be a small metal heat shield over the knock sensor.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 462
Likes: 21
From: Kansas City Missouri
Thanks guys. I was having a heck of a time identifying this one. Somewhere in this process the wire was snipped, so I couldn't run it back to find out where it went. 
Anyone have a part number I could look up? Could it be this one from Oreilley's? I actually need both sides....the one that screws in and the other side that clips onto that.
Master Pro Ignition - Sensor-Coolant Temperature
Part Number: 2-8296
Anyone have a part number I could look up? Could it be this one from Oreilley's? I actually need both sides....the one that screws in and the other side that clips onto that.
Master Pro Ignition - Sensor-Coolant Temperature
Part Number: 2-8296
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,297
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
That is for the booster fan temp switch. No booster fan, than plug the hole with a pipe plug. The connector is the same one used on the knock sensor. Here's a pic of my spare.
If you have a booster fan in front of rad, there are different temp switches available.
If you have a booster fan in front of rad, there are different temp switches available.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 462
Likes: 21
From: Kansas City Missouri
no, I do have the booster fan and I noticed that it had a similar green wire that ran into the wiring bundle, but for some reason I had it in my head that it was something different. Thanks for all of the info guys and the help. I really appreciate it. Long live CF 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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Thanks guys. I was having a heck of a time identifying this one. Somewhere in this process the wire was snipped, so I couldn't run it back to find out where it went.
Anyone have a part number I could look up? Could it be this one from Oreilley's? I actually need both sides....the one that screws in and the other side that clips onto that.
Master Pro Ignition - Sensor-Coolant Temperature
Part Number: 2-8296
Anyone have a part number I could look up? Could it be this one from Oreilley's? I actually need both sides....the one that screws in and the other side that clips onto that.
Master Pro Ignition - Sensor-Coolant Temperature
Part Number: 2-8296
When Agent86 says multiple temp switches are available, he means temp ranges. Some are lower for use with lower stats.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 462
Likes: 21
From: Kansas City Missouri
Another quick question:
Im a little slow (been busy here) but finally went by the parts store today. What they have for a coolant temp sensor is a two wire two prong deal. (but it does look like it would screw in ok) The connector for the knock sensor looks perfect, but I can't imagine that the knock sensor itself will substitute for the temp sensor, will it? If not, I think I will have to go with their two prong sensor. Would their be any complication in splicing both wires into the one that is connected over to the booster fan?
Im a little slow (been busy here) but finally went by the parts store today. What they have for a coolant temp sensor is a two wire two prong deal. (but it does look like it would screw in ok) The connector for the knock sensor looks perfect, but I can't imagine that the knock sensor itself will substitute for the temp sensor, will it? If not, I think I will have to go with their two prong sensor. Would their be any complication in splicing both wires into the one that is connected over to the booster fan?
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
I have a new auxiliary fan switch with the original green wire with the white stripe if your are interested. All the after market switches have a white or blue wire attached.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,392
Likes: 216
From: Merritt Island, FL
Another quick question:
Im a little slow (been busy here) but finally went by the parts store today. What they have for a coolant temp sensor is a two wire two prong deal. (but it does look like it would screw in ok) The connector for the knock sensor looks perfect, but I can't imagine that the knock sensor itself will substitute for the temp sensor, will it? If not, I think I will have to go with their two prong sensor. Would their be any complication in splicing both wires into the one that is connected over to the booster fan?
Im a little slow (been busy here) but finally went by the parts store today. What they have for a coolant temp sensor is a two wire two prong deal. (but it does look like it would screw in ok) The connector for the knock sensor looks perfect, but I can't imagine that the knock sensor itself will substitute for the temp sensor, will it? If not, I think I will have to go with their two prong sensor. Would their be any complication in splicing both wires into the one that is connected over to the booster fan?
In a sensor with one wire, generally it functions by grounding the circuit when whatever situation is detected (high temp, etc), in order to trigger a light or other function. A 2-wire sensor generally provides some degree of variable feedback, such as for a gauge, where it's not an on-off situation. As such, splicing 2 into one will not work.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,392
Likes: 216
From: Merritt Island, FL
What I would do, is with the ignition on, engine off, touch that wire to a ground (the cylinder head, or another known ground). See what happens - if it turns on a fan, or an idiot light, you at least know what you've got. If it turns on a fan, then I'd be inclined to order a generic one-wire fan switch, for example from a late 80s camaro / firebird.
if nothing happens when the wire is grounded, I'd probably just put a plug in that hole, and tape off the wire, and see if everything runs properly. But that's just me...
if nothing happens when the wire is grounded, I'd probably just put a plug in that hole, and tape off the wire, and see if everything runs properly. But that's just me...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
With the stock switch the Aux pusher fan comes on too late (238F ) and does little except make a noise.
As noted you can buy generic fan switches similar to this (3/8" NPT )
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SPAL-...Q5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/210-D...item3f03308c44
that will turn fan on a more usable temp range
Just need to redo connection
As noted you can buy generic fan switches similar to this (3/8" NPT )
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SPAL-...Q5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/210-D...item3f03308c44
that will turn fan on a more usable temp range
Just need to redo connection
Last edited by rodj; Sep 23, 2010 at 11:09 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
What year is your car? If it's an 86 is it an Early or Late 86?
Does it have iron or aluminum heads. They look aluminum but I can't be sure from the photo.
Agent 86 KNOWS these 86s. He's the GUY!
Jake
Does it have iron or aluminum heads. They look aluminum but I can't be sure from the photo.
Agent 86 KNOWS these 86s. He's the GUY!
Jake
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 42
From: Baltimore, MD USA
O'reillys web-site does list the fan switch and the connector used for it.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...tor+fan+switch
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...nsor+connector
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...tor+fan+switch
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...nsor+connector
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
O'reillys web-site does list the fan switch and the connector used for it.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...tor+fan+switch
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...nsor+connector
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...tor+fan+switch
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...nsor+connector
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 462
Likes: 21
From: Kansas City Missouri
Thanks guys. I couldn't find that to save my life. I do have the 86 with aluminum heads. All verts of that year had the aluminum. Those heads that you are looking at are an upgrade though. :o)