I was told by someone that the torque converter lock up responds to what the temperature sensor is reading. I have trouble with the torque converter lock up. My temp gauge always shows cold. I have a 89 2.9l automatic. I have a new radiator, thermostat and heater core. Is it possible that the converter isn't working properly because it thinks the engine is too cold? Where is the temp sensor located on the 2.9?

Thanks

 

There are 2 temp sensors on your 2.9, 1 is for the guage and the other is for the computor. If your engine is not going into closed loop then it's possible your converter will not lock up, but if the temp guage is not working it will have no connection to the converter, UNLESS your engine is not actually comeing up to operating temp

Both senders are in the intake under the throttle body the 1 for the computor is on the passenger side of it with 2 or 3 wires to it

The 1 for the guage is on the drivers side with 1 wire going to it

 

Also if the engine really is running cold, the heater output should be down & your fuel mileage should have taken a hit too!!!!

If it's really running cold, it sounds like a stuck open thermostat. Did this happen just after you replaced the thermostat????

Just because that puppy is new, doesn't automatically make it good, I've seen bad stuff right out of the box!!!!!

I suppose, though not likely, you could have two parallel problems, one a bad gauge sending unit & maybe a bad computer coolant temp sending unit.

You could test the gauge by grounding the sending units wire, through about a 3k ohm resistor, it should read about midscale. If so, the meter is ok, the sending unit is likely bad, or the engine really is runing cold from a stuck open thermostat.

So if the top radiator hose is so warm you can't hold it & your heater is outputting really hot air, the engine is liely up to temperature & the gauge temp sender is likely bad.

If you still suspect the computers temp sending unit, remove the wires & check it's resistance. It should read about 40K ohms when cold & about 3K ohms when the engine is fully warmed up.

Just some more thoughts to ponder.
Let us know what you find.

 

I think I will just change both sensors tomorrow. The sensor on the drivers side looks like pretty easy to change. How do I get the connection loose from the other sensor? Its a little different. Does anyone think these sensors have a chance of affecting my torque converter?

Thanks for the quick help!!

 

There is a possabilty the 1 for the computor will effect it, but then again not knowing if the sensor is bad or reading correctly will be just a guess

PawPaw has given you the spec's for checking the 1 for the computor but it could also be a wireing problem to the trans or a bad torque converter or selinoid.

The sensors are not that expensive, and possibly a good start, just a little pain to change the one

 

Hello,
You are on the right track. If changing the temp sensor dosen't fix the problem, give us a call. We can help you diagnose the problem.

Level 10 Tech
973-827-1000
http://www.levelten.com/

 

I changed the sensor on the drivers side. My gauge is now working. Does anyone know what the other sensor is called? The one on the passenger side. The guy at Advance Auto Parts couldn't find what it was called.

Thanks

 

I found that asking for the wrong part gets you closer to the right part!! The Advance around here when I asked for a temp sensor they would give me the 1 for the computor!

I think they have to look in emission parts to find the 1 you want

You can look it up yourself by going to advanceautoparts.com and shopping online. It will even tell you what stores have the part close to you.

I search my parts myself now and just go give them the part # -- I haven't got the wrong part since

 

I looked it up from advance -- the part # is TSU83

It is called coolent temp sensor

The 1 for the guage was coolent temp switch

 

Thanks...I really appreciate your help. I will let you know how it turns out.

Mike