coolant temp sensor

[beaver50]

I changed out my coolant temp sensor.mine was a one prong.The one I bought was a tow prong.According to the site.you can use the prong sensor.But I just used the single wire thats original for mt one prong sensor.Now I cant get my heat temp gauge to work.i did a search and cant find nothing about this problem.Can someone help me?

[Camaro96]

Does the coolant temp sensor is a light not a gauge? Since you had a one wire did you check the voltage and make sure you have it on the correct prong?

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[beaver50]

No its a gauge,it just dont read now.No I didnt check to see if one side had power on it or not.i thought the way I read it it didnt matter.But can i put both wires to the single wire and it work?Sounds like you did this same thing before?

[Nostang 96z]

The sensors are different. The one in the water pump is a 5 volt sensor that the pcm uses for many functions (Air fuel ratio, cold/hot start enrichment, etc, as well as fans). The sensor for the gauge is a 12 volt sensor. The two wire sensor is the one for the water pump and the one wire is for the gauge. The gauge will not read correctly if you use the 5 volt sensor in place of the 12 volt sensor. You need the one wire, one prong sensor for the gauge to work--this will be located on the driver's side in the cylinder head. I hope this helps. Auto parts stores can screw these two sensors up that is why I usually try to get them from rock auto (GM) so I can pick the correct part number.

[Camaro96]

No its a gauge,it just dont read now.No I didnt check to see if one side had power on it or not.i thought the way I read it it didnt matter.But can i put both wires to the single wire and it work?Sounds like you did this same thing before?


The sensors are different. The one in the water pump is a 5 volt sensor that the pcm uses for many functions (Air fuel ratio, cold/hot start enrichment, etc, as well as fans). The sensor for the gauge is a 12 volt sensor. The two wire sensor is the one for the water pump and the one wire is for the gauge. The gauge will not read correctly if you use the 5 volt sensor in place of the 12 volt sensor. You need the one wire, one prong sensor for the gauge to work--this will be located on the driver's side in the cylinder head. I hope this helps. Auto parts stores can screw these two sensors up that is why I usually try to get them from rock auto (GM) so I can pick the correct part number.
Agree with Nostang 96z

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[GaryDoug]

Nothing to do with the voltage. Get a pigtail for the two-prong sensor and connect a ground to the second connection. Doesn't matter which one you use for ground or signal. That's how they make one to replace both types.

[beaver50]

Thanks for the info and all the help.

[shippy8907]

For a little bit more, you could just get an aftermarket gauge and sender. The factory gauge in mine was showing about 3/4 on the gauge. I got an aftermarket electric gauge and it shows right around 200 degrees, so it was pretty far off. That was with a brand new sensor too.

[beaver50]

I thought about getting a aftermarket one.But theres one on it so ill just keep it.I might change my mind later.

[beaver50]

I grounded one wire on the twmp sensor.That fixed it,reading good now.Thanks for all the help.Gary Doug,you had it right!!

[Nostang 96z]

Good to know that the sensors can be used in both applications. It sucks you have to splice into the harness but at least there is an option that works.

[GaryDoug]

I don't think anyone makes the 1-wire sensor anymore. If you buy the sensor, it will probably be the 2-wire one; and if it's for the gauge, you will have to get a 2-wire connector/pigtail for it. Some of the 2-wire sensors come with the "multi-purpose" 2-wire connector/pigtail included for as little as $8 total; others do not. The pigtail can cost up to $50, depending on where you buy it. Go figure.

[Nostang 96z]

I replaced my sensors back in March and was able to get the 1 wire and two wire plug sensors for mine from Rock Auto. They were GM sensors. I had real bad luck with a faulty coolant temp sensor from the auto parts store. I had a failure and the sensor would not read over 90 degrees and I almost overheated my new combo but had my eye on the gauges so I caught it before the temp got over 230.