Coolant Temp sensor won't work

**99Hawk285** · 10-26-2008, 06:41 PM

Ok, I'm new to the LS1 cars, had a v6 camaro and got totalled by some dumb lady in a honda odyssey that ran a red light rushing to get her kids to soccer practice...?! So i bought a 99 Firehawk with the money from insurance with 109K miles on it from some old lady *still hadnt been broken in haha* but the plugs and wires were original. So I took it upon myself to replace them, unknowing of the horrors that awaited trying to get to those damn things. In the process, I snapped the female end of the connector on the coolant temp sensor on accident, barely tapped it and it cracked. The next day I ran by autozone and grabbed a new one, but didn't work. Took it back and grabbed another, but still didnt work. I jumped the male end connector and the computer read fine, so the wires should be ok, correct? the car is stock, just a cat back exhaust. I used MSD wires and bosch platinum +4 plugs. Also, now after this incident sometimes the car won't want to start unless the throttle is to the floor, and for about 1 minute every time i try to rev it it wants to choke out. any idea as to what is going on? Sorry I typed so much, just wanted to be specific so you guys would have the info you need

**Orcus79** · 10-26-2008, 10:35 PM

well. hmm I don't know why it won't work, even with a a new one. Unless the pins on the other connection got damaged, which I doubt.

The reason for the starting troubles is that the computer isn't seeing a temperature most likely and is either dumping a shit load of fuel and flooding the car. When you put your foot to the floor the computer would see that and cut back fuel thinking the car had flooded. I have it happen on my truck every winter.

Options are to try another new sensor or hit wreckers and get a few from there. Plan C would be going to the dealer and spending the money on a factory one.

Also double check the PN on the box of the one from Autozone, for applications. I ahve been given wrong parts cause the idiot didn't listen to what I said.

**PFM** · 10-27-2008, 07:42 AM

My 98 has a 3 pin connector on the temp sensor and after 98 they went to a 2 pin connection, However if you got a 99 that was made in 98 you might have the 3 pin. How many wires are on your water temp connector 2 or 3? Also if your temps are off due to a bad or wrong sensor it will effect how well you car cranks up and runs. Your best bet would be if you know somebody with a tech 3 meter to get them to check it. Mine thought it was 33 degrees in 98 degree weather and was a bitch to crank up until I replaced it. The GM factory one was less than $20.00 at the dealership.

**Crimson Sin** · 10-27-2008, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Orcus79

well. hmm I don't know why it won't work, even with a a new one. Unless the pins on the other connection got damaged, which I doubt.

The reason for the starting troubles is that the computer isn't seeing a temperature most likely and is either dumping a shit load of fuel and flooding the car. When you put your foot to the floor the computer would see that and cut back fuel thinking the car had flooded. I have it happen on my truck every winter.

Options are to try another new sensor or hit wreckers and get a few from there. Plan C would be going to the dealer and spending the money on a factory one.

Also double check the PN on the box of the one from Autozone, for applications. I ahve been given wrong parts cause the idiot didn't listen to what I said.

Yeah, there's typically three "sensors" One for the dash, one for the ECM (fuel injection) and one for the fan Water Temp sender. Coolant temp sensor and Acc Fan Swi. If they dont know. and most don't... You probably got the wrong one.

**99Hawk285** · 10-27-2008, 05:20 PM

i picked one up from the dealership today, so i got the actual ac delco part, not the duralast junk, and it worked for roughly 2 minutes, and then stopped working. The guy gave me the one that went into the head, which is the one that was bad, so it must be the right part. But don't these have porcelain or something inside? would it be possible that putting it in without the engine being completely cool that i broke it some how? or is that a common rule and im just dumb? haha

**Orcus79** · 10-27-2008, 07:55 PM

Sounds like there may be a larger issue at play then. It very possible the that sensor is getting fried by transient voltage. Check the harness from the plug back making sure its not touching any coil packs or plug wires. Also make sure that the wiring is not kinked or melted.