Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block...
It's between the front 2 spark plugs on the driver side. What is this, what does it do, can I run the car with it broken, what code will it show (if any), does GM have replacement ones still, Anyone know the part number? :eek:
I was cleaning the engine bay and accidentally bumped it. The external part of the sensor thing with that heat protective (?) outer wrap fell off. :( I stuck the wire part back in but it appears the plastic narrow straw like housing on the inside which holds the wire thing is cracked off the part in the block. Damn. Carlisle is only a few days away. :crazy: Thanks, ~Juliet
[Modified by Juliet, 1:24 AM 8/19/2002]
I was cleaning the engine bay and accidentally bumped it. The external part of the sensor thing with that heat protective (?) outer wrap fell off. :( I stuck the wire part back in but it appears the plastic narrow straw like housing on the inside which holds the wire thing is cracked off the part in the block. Damn. Carlisle is only a few days away. :crazy: Thanks, ~Juliet
[Modified by Juliet, 1:24 AM 8/19/2002]
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (Juliet)
That's your auxillary fan switch. You can drive fine unless your coolant temp. goes about 240. Mine has never turned on and I've had the car for 4 years. Not sure on the part #.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (ACEMG73)
Thanks. I don't think I've ever seen my car get that hot. Usually about 225 or so some sort of fan kicks on to bring the temps down. I thought that was the secondary fan kicking on, but maybe it isn't. :crazy? Do you know if it sets a code if it's dead? Does yours have that wrapped stuff around it? It looks pretty wierd, almost home-made. I'm wondering if it might have been broken before and someone bubba'd it together. :rolleyes: ~Juliet
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (Juliet)
it's bubba'd.
I guess those things are poorly made. Mine was so brittle and broke along time ago too. If you touch the bare wire to the block, it will ground and "close the circuit" turning the fan on. No code will set.
[Modified by 89 Paul in Cal, 10:58 PM 8/18/2002]
I guess those things are poorly made. Mine was so brittle and broke along time ago too. If you touch the bare wire to the block, it will ground and "close the circuit" turning the fan on. No code will set.
[Modified by 89 Paul in Cal, 10:58 PM 8/18/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (Juliet)
Indeed that is the aux fan sw connector; they get brittle over time from the heat of the exhaust manifold being close.
It is the same as the knock sensor connector, so your local Chevy dealer may have one in stock or can bring one in a few days (sorry don't know the P/N).
If stock the sw doesn't bring the aux fan on till around 240deg F. It has no tie to the ECM so won't throw a code.
It is the same as the knock sensor connector, so your local Chevy dealer may have one in stock or can bring one in a few days (sorry don't know the P/N).
If stock the sw doesn't bring the aux fan on till around 240deg F. It has no tie to the ECM so won't throw a code.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (Juliet)
1)The fan that kicks on at 225 is your main fan. That's good enough for most people.
2)No need to worry. It won't set a code.
3)Yours does look like it has been "fixed" :crazy: by the previous owner. Mine just snaps on. Look at the pass. side of your block for a similiar switch. That is for your main fan. You can use that as a reference as to what it should look like...not broken. Unless of course someone "fixed" that also.
2)No need to worry. It won't set a code.
3)Yours does look like it has been "fixed" :crazy: by the previous owner. Mine just snaps on. Look at the pass. side of your block for a similiar switch. That is for your main fan. You can use that as a reference as to what it should look like...not broken. Unless of course someone "fixed" that also.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (65Z01)
Thanks. Whew. :) I have to stop by the chevy dealer this AM anyways to pick up some other stuff which came in. I'll order a new one then. I'll start the penetrating oil 3x daily treatment this morning in hopes that I can get the old one out. :smash: :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 0
From: Lockport NY
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (Juliet)
Thanks. Whew. :) I have to stop by the chevy dealer this AM anyways to pick up some other stuff which came in. I'll order a new one then. I'll start the penetrating oil 3x daily treatment this morning in hopes that I can get the old one out. :smash: :D
BTW: Ecklers sells an aux sensor w/lower turn-on temp; they also have wiring repair kit for this wire end...
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
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (Rich B.)
...And of course that will drain all the coolant out of your system down to the level of that sensor, so you might as well change the thermostat (they do go bad over time), flush your system, and re-fill with nice new anti-freeze...
- 1986 Original Owner -
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 139
From: North Yorkshire, England
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (ACEMG73)
Look at the pass. side of your block for a similiar switch. That is for your main fan. You can use that as a reference as to what it should look like...not broken.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver WA
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (Ray Quayle)
You should be able to pick up an aux sensor conn from an auto parts store ($3-$5). Just let them know it looks like a knock sensor connection. Mine also crumbled (along with the sensor) and the chevy parts dept couldn't find a part # or the part itself, they did say that they could order the wire harness kit( or something like that) for $70.00 :eek:
[Modified by 87Beast, 12:13 PM 8/19/2002]
[Modified by 87Beast, 12:13 PM 8/19/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (87Beast)
Juliet,
I picked up a lower temp switch from Mid-America for $13 (on at 190º/off at 180º) then wired it in to the main harness(as per 65Z01's tech tip), and I got a new connector from Ecklers for $5. Happy vetting! It's a 5 minute replacement job.
I picked up a lower temp switch from Mid-America for $13 (on at 190º/off at 180º) then wired it in to the main harness(as per 65Z01's tech tip), and I got a new connector from Ecklers for $5. Happy vetting! It's a 5 minute replacement job.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (TIMSPEED)
I ordered an Aux. Fan "SWITCH" from the GM dealer this AM, it was something like $13. I didn't write down the part number. They put it on will-call from their distributor. It'll be at the dealership for me to pickup this evening (assuming I or Greg can get there before parts dept closes at 5pm). ~Juliet
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (Juliet)
I think 1-1 1/2 gal is enough coolant to remove that sensor (and the stat if you're so inclined).
A deep socket (don't recall size) and an 18" breaker bar is also very useful.
I used a little anit-sieze on the sensor threads to assure no leaks yet provide good ground contact.
A deep socket (don't recall size) and an 18" breaker bar is also very useful.
I used a little anit-sieze on the sensor threads to assure no leaks yet provide good ground contact.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver WA
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (65Z01)
Juliet, out of curiosity are you replacing the sensor,the plastic connection piece, or both? I was assuming from your picture that you need to replace the plastic connector
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (87Beast)
Thanks everyone. It's fixed. To answer your question 87Beast - I was thinking both. But in the interest of time only did the connector. I'll do the sensor part which screws into the head after Carlisle.
For reference the current GM part numbers are: #14043276 (switch - screws into head) and #12102621 (Connector Replacement Pack).
I ended up just using the housing out of the connector replacement pack. I wanted to preserve the original factory wire color (Green w/ white stripe) and not use the plain white wire & the butt connector supplied in the replacement pack. Greg had some of those wire end things & a crimper & he showed me how to put a new end on the original wire. We just disassembled the new connector using this tool which came with the crimping kit. So in the eyes of NCRS my only deduction will be because the plastic housing is white and I'm guessing that the original one was (what remained of it) black or dark grey. Bubba had been there before and had merely duct-taped the wire in place. :eek: It had blackened with time but on disassembly I saw the threads of the tape still intact. Good thing it didn't catch fire! I took some photos but won't have time to post them tonight. Maybe after Carlisle if anyone is interested I'll post them. ~Juliet
For reference the current GM part numbers are: #14043276 (switch - screws into head) and #12102621 (Connector Replacement Pack).
I ended up just using the housing out of the connector replacement pack. I wanted to preserve the original factory wire color (Green w/ white stripe) and not use the plain white wire & the butt connector supplied in the replacement pack. Greg had some of those wire end things & a crimper & he showed me how to put a new end on the original wire. We just disassembled the new connector using this tool which came with the crimping kit. So in the eyes of NCRS my only deduction will be because the plastic housing is white and I'm guessing that the original one was (what remained of it) black or dark grey. Bubba had been there before and had merely duct-taped the wire in place. :eek: It had blackened with time but on disassembly I saw the threads of the tape still intact. Good thing it didn't catch fire! I took some photos but won't have time to post them tonight. Maybe after Carlisle if anyone is interested I'll post them. ~Juliet
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (Bill Burkert)
part numbers can be had for those who really want to know at carfiche-dot-com-slash-c4, no woo woo woo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 4
From: Windham, NH
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (Juliet)
Juliet,
Now you know what us "waxers" go thru :) :) :) !!!!! You think making sure that you have the "correct shade of flat black" is tough for NCRS, now you see how hard it is to maintain a "beauty queen". :lol: :lol: :lol:
Now you know what us "waxers" go thru :) :) :) !!!!! You think making sure that you have the "correct shade of flat black" is tough for NCRS, now you see how hard it is to maintain a "beauty queen". :lol: :lol: :lol:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 0
From: Lockport NY
Re: Uh Oh... Broken sensor on block... (Juliet)
I always seem to end up on the wrong page...I spend most of my time randomly wandering.... :p:
The only decent parts person I've found is 18carfan...I think he has the C4 parts manual tattoed all over his body... :D
