What is the sensor that threads into the top of the head on the drivers' side? I thought it was the water temp sensor, but when I got one at autozone, it was way too big to fit the threaded hole, instead matching up with the one on the front of the head where the water hoses connect.

So what is that sensor on the driver's side, back of the head? Mine is broken in half, and I need a new one.

 

temp sender it controls your temp gauge

 

There are two Water Temp sensors.

The one you broke, in the rear, goes to the Guage/Idiot Light in the instrument cluster.

I believe the one in the front of the motor goes to the computer.

Odd but it is the first time I have seen a vehicle with two water temp sensors.

I just replaced mine, the one that came out took a 1/2" socket I think and the one that went in was 9/16.

 

one is a sensor the other is a sender

 

exactly bang on, two sensors.

 

What if your head doesn't have the sensor at the back of the head? I just put a 97 motor in a 96 body, and sure enough, the plug is on the wiring harness from the 96 body, but the 97 motor has no sensor in the head.

Is there a workaround, or do I need to swap heads?

 

I believe that is the year that started combining the temp sensor/sender into one sensor, the one in the thermostat housing. And completely omitting the one at the rear of the head altogether. I think

 

What if you were to add a sensor such as this to the 97 head?;
http://www.jegs.com/i/CSR/170/1225S/10002/-1
Would that allow the 96 ecu to operate properly?

 

Yes. '97 is the year they buffered temp and IIRC oil pressure readings, driving the gauges indirectly to provide "readings consistent with customer expectations".
Too many service appointments from owners who noticed their gauge reading move a little bit and were convinced something was wrong.


cwfinlayson: see your other thread for the workaround.

 

So whats the work around to the sensor if i have a 97 motor in the 96 body

 

drill and tap the thermostat housing for the odl sensor.

Or possibly put an adapter in the block drain plug. not sure if either of those locations are ideal but it has been done

 

I was wondering why my 97 had a sensor back there that didnt go anywhere. Found it while cleaning the valve cover off for a new gasket. So then the engine in my 97 wasnt replaced with a 97 as the previous owner told me, but a 96? Interesting.

 

can I just plug off the hole for that little temp sending unit..ive installed manual temp guage..and I've got a new head

 

Absolutely 💯