Help! Oil Temp Sensor
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley CA
Help! Oil Temp Sensor
I just bought a replacement oil temp sensor from napa which according to their website is part number ECH OTS201.
However, the one I ended up with has a spade end and the one on the car has a mushroom head - the thread also looks thicker on the one that it on the car.
I'm assuming I'm looking at the correct thing, on the side of the block beween 2 spark plugs behind the alternator.
Trouble is I sheared the head off it trying to reinstall it :(, doesn't seem to be leaking, but is there any danger there?
Also, when I evetually get the right one, can I fit it without draining the oil?
Thanks
However, the one I ended up with has a spade end and the one on the car has a mushroom head - the thread also looks thicker on the one that it on the car.
I'm assuming I'm looking at the correct thing, on the side of the block beween 2 spark plugs behind the alternator.
Trouble is I sheared the head off it trying to reinstall it :(, doesn't seem to be leaking, but is there any danger there?
Also, when I evetually get the right one, can I fit it without draining the oil?
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Princeton Texas
Re: Help! Oil Temp Sensor (November Soul)
The sensor on the side of the block behind the alternator is a fan switch. Usually it is the auxilliary fan. The oil temp sensor is located down by the oil filter.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Help! Oil Temp Sensor (November Soul)
That's right.
Sounds like you need a new aux fan sw; the after market units come with an adapter for either type of connector. Drain about 1gal of coolant. To verify, turn the key On and touch the cable connector to ground and see if the aux fan comes on.
If you want an oil sender, look to the top of the block just behind the intake base on the left side (by the brake booster).
Sounds like you need a new aux fan sw; the after market units come with an adapter for either type of connector. Drain about 1gal of coolant. To verify, turn the key On and touch the cable connector to ground and see if the aux fan comes on.
If you want an oil sender, look to the top of the block just behind the intake base on the left side (by the brake booster).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
Re: Help! Oil Temp Sensor (65Z01)
The part you broke is a fan switch. If its not leaking I wouldn't mess with it and would just hook up a manual switch. To test if its your aux fan (if equiped) have ignition key on, then ground the wire, that is suppose to be connected the switch, to a good ground. Fan should kick on. To hook up a manual switch tap into that wire you just grounded and wire it to a toggle switch, then run a wire from the toggle to a ground source. :cheers:
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Princeton Texas
Re: Help! Oil Temp Sensor (November Soul)
Our 86's have both oil pressure and oil temp sensors. The oil pressure is located on the back of the block near the distibutor and the oil temp sensor is located near the oil filter. If you do repace the fan switch, don't used teflon tape on it. The sensor requires the block contact for ground return. There are sensors available from MAD or Ecklers that turn on and off at specific setpoints. You may want to change this. I have my auxillary coming on at 200 degrees F. The main fan switch is located on the front of the block near where the upper radiator hose attaches to the block. It is set to come on at 230 degrees f unless the A/C is on, in which case the main fan is on all the time.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 62
Likes: 1
From: colorado springs co
Re: Help! Oil Temp Sensor (November Soul)
WRT using teflon tape on the aux fan switch I would definitely use it to prevent any possible coolant leakage. There should be enough sensor thread to engine block thread contact made to allow the switch to ground properly. Once installed with teflon tape just take it for a test drive and see if it works. My two cents.
