Temperature sensor
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Whispering Pines, NC
Temperature sensor
On my 1983 5.8l does anyone know where the coolant temperature sensor is located? I know the sender is on the right side of the distributor but can't find the sensor. An engine diagram would be helpful. Thanks
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From: Virginia
Help me out here a little bit. Why would you have a temperature sensor? Do you have a California model with a computer and a computerized carb system? Most trucks in 1983 only had the sender for the gauge, and that was a single wire sending unit mounted on the intake manifold usually around the thermostat housing somewhere.
I believe some of the 351w's that were not HO with the 4 barrel carb did have a computer controlled carb system on them, but I didn't think that started in 1983, but maybe it did?
I believe some of the 351w's that were not HO with the 4 barrel carb did have a computer controlled carb system on them, but I didn't think that started in 1983, but maybe it did?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Somewhere n North America
See attached;
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 156
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From: Whispering Pines, NC
Temperature sensor
Thank you for the years of good advice. The issue I have is that the guage shows the truck is running hot. The thermostat is good....the water pump is good...so I'm guessing the issue is the sensor. I've replaced the sender and what I thought was the sensor...both located on the top of the motor. I may be wrong. The truck isn't running hot. Do I need to replace the temp sender that has the single wire?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,182
Likes: 15
From: Somewhere n North America
You can purchase a IR temp tester for about $20 these days if you want to know what the actual Temp is.
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From: Virginia
Find the single wire sending unit. Turn the key to run but do not start the engine. Take the single wire plug off the sending unit and ground it to a good metal place on the engine. Have someone watch the gauge, it should swing full scale hot or cold. Then take the wiring plug off the ground and let it hang in the air, the guage in the cluster should swing full scale the opposite side. If this works, you know the wiring and the gauge are working.
If you replace the sending unit, make sure not to put very much sealing tape or very much sealer on the threads. The sending unit must have good electrical contact with the metal on the engine/intake manifold to work correctly.
If you replace the sending unit, make sure not to put very much sealing tape or very much sealer on the threads. The sending unit must have good electrical contact with the metal on the engine/intake manifold to work correctly.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Atlantic Canada
Thank you for the years of good advice. The issue I have is that the guage shows the truck is running hot. The thermostat is good....the water pump is good...so I'm guessing the issue is the sensor. I've replaced the sender and what I thought was the sensor...both located on the top of the motor. I may be wrong. The truck isn't running hot. Do I need to replace the temp sender that has the single wire?
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dswan101
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