Temp Sensor Needed For Renix?

[Comanchemodder]

I swapped in a '94 2.5l but retained all the RENIX. However. I did not reconnect the oil pressure and water temp sensor since the connector on the '94 was different. Does RENIX need temp data to run properly?

 

Symptoms:

 

1) idiot temp light flickers when cold but turns off when warm. Not sure why since I don't think it is connected.

2) bad idle at cold start.

3) engine hesitates when accel and cruising during the first 4-5 miles of warm up. Pushing in the clutch and revving fixes it for a moment.

4) runs great when hot.

 

Goal: better cold running.

[cruiser54]

Water temp SENDER or coolant temp SENSOR?

[Eagle]

Renix has two coolant temp sensors (or three). The one at the left rear of the head is for the dashboard. It can be a switch (for idiot lights) or it can be a sensor (for gauges). They look about the same externally.

 

The Renix engines have a second temp sensor on the driver's side of the block. This is the one that feeds data to the ECU, and the engine will NOT run properly without it.

 

If you have an auxiliary fan, there's a third sensor in the driver's side radiator tank. That one ONLY controls the aux fan.

[cruiser54]

Renix has two coolant temp sensors (or three). The one at the left rear of the head is for the dashboard. It can be a switch (for idiot lights) or it can be a sensor (for gauges). They look about the same externally.

 

The Renix engines have a second temp sensor on the driver's side of the block. This is the one that feeds data to the ECU, and the engine will NOT run properly without it.

 

If you have an auxiliary fan, there's a third sensor in the driver's side radiator tank. That one ONLY controls the aux fan.

Well stated.

[Comanchemodder]

The '94 2.5L has the temperature sending unit on the thermostat housing.  After reading your comments, I realized that was a decoy.  Since I retained RENIX and the intake manifold, I nosed around and located an unconnected water temp sensor on the intake manifold.  In close proximity was the mating wiring harness connector.  I connected the two and BOOM!  She drives a like a new car!

 

Thanks!