General Temp Sensor

[Patch124]

Where is the cheapest and best source for a temp sensor guys?
I installed a instrument panel with rev counter and temp gague (replaced the standard 55s one)
The temp gague dont work and have been advised on here to swap the temp sensor at the back of the head... DO i needs a ELX / Sporting one and if so - where is the best bet?

Cheers guys

 

[dan-the-man]

Scrap yard? or http://www.shop4parts.co.uk

 

[Mabby]

I got one from Fiat, but have since found out the problem was that my clocks had gone down, so now have an old one and a new one! Not very expensive from scrappy if you can find one..

 

[Patch124]

I got one from Fiat, but have since found out the problem was that my clocks had gone down, so now have an old one and a new one! Not very expensive from scrappy if you can find one..

I know the instrument panel works right because the car it came off had a full starting engine before the scrap yard vultures took over - so = the cheapest i have found a Sporting sensor for is £11.79 from Halfords of all places.
Even the good old shop4parts.com cant beat that - they are charging £22 for one....

 

[Mabby]

Hi guys can you just clear up for me cos this is doing my head in. Wired up the dashboard clocks with temp and rev counter....rev counter works, temp still doesnt.

First off was told by auto electrician that sensor had gone (black plastic) went to Fiat and ordered a SX sensor, picked it up....was another black plastic one, was expecting it to have red plastic, been back to Fiat they say this is the right part when I know full well it isn't!

I need a sensor with the red plastic on, either an SX, ELX or Sporting is that right....please help before I start pulling my hair out! Seems to me, Fiat think cos I'm a woman that when I ask for a SX sensor and see my S parked outside, I obviously dont know what I'm talking about and give me what they think I want, not what I'm specifically asking for!

Sorry rant over!

 

[Patch124]

Hi guys can you just clear up for me cos this is doing my head in. Wired up the dashboard clocks with temp and rev counter....rev counter works, temp still doesnt.

First off was told by auto electrician that sensor had gone (black plastic) went to Fiat and ordered a SX sensor, picked it up....was another black plastic one, was expecting it to have red plastic, been back to Fiat they say this is the right part when I know full well it isn't!

I need a sensor with the red plastic on, either an SX, ELX or Sporting is that right....please help before I start pulling my hair out! Seems to me, Fiat think cos I'm a woman that when I ask for a SX sensor and see my S parked outside, I obviously dont know what I'm talking about and give me what they think I want, not what I'm specifically asking for!

Sorry rant over!

Hi mate - you are right - go to halfords and ask for an ELX or sporting temp sensor...the colour of it dont matter, it will work - there is only one wire runnng from it, but that is why the temp sensor wont work - im in the same boat right now, and that is ther last thing to do - wiring the instrument panel up for the revs was a little tricky, the temp sensor is as simple as unscrewing it from the back of the head gasket - make sure you use a 22ml ring spanner to remove it - an open ended one will round it off - then u will never get the bitch off :yum:

 

[Mabby]

Cheers for the info mate, went back again ordered the correct part this time, was £11 +/- so about the same as Halfords. Supposed to be exchanging with them today but went to pick up new sensor and they hadn't been able to get one, should have one tomorrow. So hopefully it'll work then!

Connected the Tacho up last week but has stopped working, trouble again!

 

[col7104]

The black top sensors are digital on/off switches to switch the red "too late" light on on the dash. The red top sensors are analogue to send a varying signal to the gauge on the dash.

I got mine from FIAT and explained to him I needed the analogue version rather than the digital one, he said "So the red top one then", I said "If that's the analogue one then yes". Cost just under £11. It seems the colour is like this across manufacturers, a mate needed one for a Fiesta and the man said to ask for "A red top square plug type" sensor for his gauge.

Their only connected by one wire because the the body of the sensor is earthed to the engine I believe. When you tighten the new one in, don't overdo it, it's an alloy head, and you really will have headaches if you strip the thread. IIRC it's tapered like the oil sump plugs, so no washers needed, although I did notice the old one came off with what looked like remains of threadlock.

If you just explain what you're doing, the FIAT man would most likely give you the right part If he saw the S badge outside, then I'm sure that he was trying to save you time and money by giving you another S one

 

[Mabby]

Cheers guys all sorted now, spoke to a nice guy at fiat and told him what I'm doing and I'm picking the right part up in the morning.