ECT and Temp sender

[1ekoms]

ECT and Temp sender QUICK QUESTION

95ATX
Are the temperature sender and the ect sensor the same?
Or are they two seperate things?
I am replacing my thermostat and purchased what i believe is the temperature sender (located to the left of the thermostat housing and has a single pin connection to a wire).
And is there anything else i should do while im working on this?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[sdpatt]

The inexpensive ($3) coolant temperature sender with the single wire below and forward of the thermostat is the source of the signal for the dashboard gauge.

The ECT sensor, or engine coolant temperature sensor, is the larger device with two wires located aft of the water distribution manifold below the throttle body. That device provides the signal to the electronic engine control (EEC) computer to allow it to control several systems.

After the coolant temperature reaches a certain value after starting, the EEC controls the fuel injection and spark timing events in the closed loop engine control mode. If the coolant temperature gets too high, the EEC will engage the radiator cooling fans to provide more heat removal from the radiator.

Make sure you install the thermostat with the jiggle valves on the top, the spring side toward the passenger side and the rubber gasket smoothly fitted around the outside perimeter of the 'stat. Since the temperature sender can be reached easily even without removing the thremostat, I save its replacement until it fails or reads improperly on the gauge.