More than one coolant sensor?

[GsxrMike]

1996 K3500 4x4 w/ 5.7

Does the PCM use the same coolant temp sensor as the gauge or is there another coolant temp sensor on my motor somewhere?

I looked on rockauto.com for the sensor and the sensors they displayed are all two wire and the one I can see (between #1 and #3 exhaust ports) is a single wire. When I disconnected it, the temp gauge fell to zero but the truck ran the same.

 

[4xcrazy]

Should be one up in the intake somewhere as well that the computer reads, i thought i read somewhere on the newer motors it was under some intake plenum device or something.

 

[DeviousK5]

Side of the cylinder head is for the gauge
The temp sensor for the PCM is between the alt, and the EGR

 

[Big6ft6]

Already two correct answers, but I'll tripple it. The computer coolant temp sensor (CTS) is on the intake manifold just to the passenger side of the thermostat housing. (on a 350 TBI)

The coolant temperature sender or "sending unit" is the single wire sender in the head that you're unplugging when you see the gauge change.

The key is sensor vs. sender the sensor is for the computer, the sender sends a signal to the gauge, they sender is right above the sensor in the Rock Auto cooling system section.

 

[4xcrazy]

He's running a '96 motor, i thought they had a different injection setup on those then, and i remember seeing a post not long about about someone having issues with a sensor and having to build a "dam" with silicone around this sensor due to corrosion from standing water on the intake or something.

May be a later motor perhaps.

 

[DeviousK5]

Correct96=CSFI... 87-95=TBI... 4xcrazy Im thinking you are remembering the kock sensor issues with LSx motors, and the dam of silicone that is advised Via TSB. All in all the ECT is in roughly the same location on theCSFI vs TBI

 

[4xcrazy]

Correct96=CSFI... 87-95=TBI... 4xcrazy Im thinking you are remembering the kock sensor issues with LSx motors, and the dam of silicone that is advised Via TSB. All in all the ECT is in roughly the same location on theCSFI vs TBI

you're right,my screw-up

now that you mentioned it, i think it had to do with a dual knock sensor issue, one of them was this one on the intake.

 

[GsxrMike]

Correct96=CSFI... 87-95=TBI... 4xcrazy Im thinking you are remembering the kock sensor issues with LSx motors, and the dam of silicone that is advised Via TSB. All in all the ECT is in roughly the same location on theCSFI vs TBI

Just for some fun facts: My CSFI is now MPFI & you spelled knock wrong.

Speaking of fun facts and kock sensors, my wife's sensor is pierced.

Thanks for the info guys!

 

[CherryK5]

Just for some fun facts: My CSFI is now MPFI & you spelled knock wrong.

Speaking of fun facts and kock sensors, my wife's sensor is pierced.

Thanks for the info guys!

That's some... Interesting information.. But good to know.