Coolant Temperature Sensor

[Heavy Metal]

1990 SporTruck 

 

The casing around the coolant temperature sensor (mounted in the block next to the coolant drain plug) came apart in my hands the other day. The gelatinous material in the sensor (or maybe just an insulator?) is now exposed. I was browsing around the web looking for replacement sensors and I noticed that they all have 3 pin connectors, yet my particular sensor has an EV1 type connector (like my injectors). What is going on here? 

 

I don't have a temp gauge on my dash, just an idiot light, does this have anything to do with the type of connector?

[Dando]

I'm fairly certain that the sensor you are referring to is not actually your coolant temp but actually your knock sensor. Do you have a picture?

[Heavy Metal]

I can take a picture of it tomorrow, but it is the exact sensor highlighted in yellow in this diagram:

 

 

According to this page http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/coolant-temp-sensor-where-1233064/ it should not have anything to do with my dash not having gauges since the sender is on the back of the head near the MAP sensor.

[Dando]

I'll take a picture of my setup on my 90 when the sun comes up here in alittle bit and post the picture ASAP but I am still fairly certain that when I had the engine out recently the knock sensor has the Fuel injector style connector.

[cruiser54]

I'll take a picture of my setup on my 90 when the sun comes up here in alittle bit and post the picture ASAP but I am still fairly certain that when I had the engine out recently the knock sensor has the Fuel injector style connector.

It does. And it's prone to breakage at the sensor.....

[Dando]

Knock sensor

 

[fiatslug87]

The wrapped wires are the coolant sensor and the one just above the oil pan is the knock sensor.

 

[Heavy Metal]

Damn, you guys are right, I must have gotten mixed up when I was under my truck and not realized that there was a second sensor hanging out above it. Yeah it is my knock sensor. Also, what do you think the urgency is for replacement? The truck seems to run ok, but it could still be working in some capacity. I can probe it, but I'm not sure what to look for. Also if the sensor is damaged I imagine the ECU defaults to some very conservative timing schedule to prevent damage?