Rickshaw

Is my coolant temp sensor the one on the passenger side front of the block right close to the IAC? Kind of an elementary question, I know, but in doing some work on the throttle body I noticed that the sensor has 2 of its 3 wires cut. I am hoping the previous owner did that simply because the sensor needs to be replaced.

Dominic Sorresso

The only sensor close to the IAC is the IAT located on the airhorn. The coolant temp sensor is located under the plenum on the injector housing.
Maybe a pic of this would help identify what you're talking about. Cut wires on any sensor would bring up a code.

Rickshaw

I will post a picture as soon as I can.

The sensor is screwed vertically into the engine right next to a freeze plug, and it is in close proximity to the plug for the IAC - in fact both sensors' harnesses go into the same wire loom. I have not had the opportunity as of yet to see if any codes are stored. Hopefully today I can get a better look at this situation.

Rickshaw

I'm sorry for not providing very much information. Sometimes I post while at work in hopes of learning something simple. I really need to make sure I give enough of a description so as to allow others to help.

Dominic Sorresso

I think you are describing the oil temp sensor near the oil filter.

Rickshaw

I believe you are correct. My oil temp gauge seems to be working, though.

Are there multiple oil temp sensors on this engine?

Dominic Sorresso

How about oil pressure?

Rickshaw

Oil pressure gauge is working fine, too. I see high presssure when cold, and after warmup the pressure varies according to engine speed.

Goldcylon

There two oil presure sending units on the LT5. One next to the oil filter which reads out on your IP as a numbered gauge. The other oil sending unit is on the side of the block passenger side and it controls the Low oil light that is in the lower right of the IP.

A picture at this point would be helpful

Rickshaw

I will post a picture this afternoon when I arrive home.

Thank you for all of the replies and info.

Rickshaw

Ok, here is a borrowed image which shows the sensor location in question. It is the black housing to the immediate left of the alternator pulley.

MRDZR1

The big one is for your Oil pressure gage. The one on the left lower side is for the oil light. That's the one you never want to see go ON!


Martin

Goldcylon

Correct as posted above

Rickshaw

My oil pressure gauge seems to read correctly with two of three wires cut off the sensor. Very odd. I am going to find the cut wires in the loom and replace the sensor. Reading the codes will be first, though.

In the meantime, I have a charging issue which I need to address. I am only seeing 12.5-12.9V at the battery terminals with the engine idling. I am going to look at the fusible links and then the alternator.

Goldcylon

12.69 volts is standard battery voltage. I have no idea how your opil pressure gauge is working with cut wires. VZery wierd

Rickshaw

Yes, but while the engine is running I believe the voltage should be somewhere between 13.3 and 14.4.

I know that there are two fusibles between the alternator and battery and I have read somewhere that if one of them goes the battery will not charge at its normal rate.

Coupe89

I would check the voltage off the alternator.
And your right it should be in that range

Goldcylon

Correct

Rickshaw

The fusibles are all good, and the voltage is the same on the back of the alternator as it is on the battery terminals. My next step will be to pull the alternator and have it tested at the local parts house. That kind of sucks because I just had the throttle body off last week and now I need to pull it again :-(

ShawnZR-1

FWIW, at idle, my battery voltage drops to the 12.5V range (as displayed on my Escort 8500 RADAR detector). Rev it up to 1000 RPM and it jumps to 14V. Our engines are under driven a bit to save the accessories.

Also, my sensor only has one wire going to it:


I'm thinking you're chasing phantoms.