Temp Sending Unit Connector

[JRA2000TL]

FML, if it's not one thing it's another with this 89.

The temp gauge quit working--no big deal, I pick up the $10 sending unit. I install it and go to put the L shaped wire connector on the end and it slips right off. Huh? I look at the old one and the metal that goes inside of the rubber insulator was stuck to the old unit. I pulled most of it off (tiny piece broke), slipped it over the thread on the new unit and re-connected the L shaped pigtail. It's not working still.

I'm guessing the pigtail is so damn old it's just falling apart. How can I fix this? Am I going to have to get a j/y part and splice it in somehow?

This car is rotting into dust with every piece I touch and it's a Southern rust-free car. Anything plastic or rubber has just disintegrated.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Ive got a motor Im scrapping. Still have harness stuff.

Cover shipping and a new connector is yours :wave:


Assuming it is in better shape than yours.... Ill have to check.

 

[ShadetreeSHOguy]

Ive got a motor Im scrapping. Still have harness stuff.

Cover shipping and a new connector is yours :wave:


Assuming it is in better shape than yours.... Ill have to check.

If he doesnt have one, i do.

Same deal as him, if his isnt any good.

 

[JRA2000TL]

Before I do that, I notice the gauge is pegged at C; when I shut the car off, it moves up slightly. As soon as I turn the key to on, it jumps back flat on C....could it be the part in the cluster? I put the connector on the end of the sending unit, and though not snug, it will go on there, so it should work? I have a multimeter I can test it with if I know what to look for.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Gauge is acting normal.

Without power the gauge will float a bit. Once it gets a signal, it responds. And if the car is stone cold, it will peg to cold.

 

[JRA2000TL]

Guess I'll need to learn how to solder then. This connector is loose and slips off the post easily. PM me if the connector you have is in good shape. Thanks.

 

[SHOtime2511]

IIRC that gauge sensor is threaded.
Perhaps an eyelet and a small nut from a hardware store would fix you right up.

 

[msteiny]

Same thing happened to me. Not a lot of room to really work down there. The end of the new temp sensor should have came with a 10-32 nut on it. I removed the old crusty connector and replaced with a terminal ring. Works great now.

 

[msteiny]

I also forgot to mention that Rockauto has a ton of new electrical connectors for our car. If yours are like mine and getting really brittle and starting to break thats a good place to start looking, beats searching a junk yard.

 

[jelloslug]

Up north the metal disintegrates and the plastic stays great. Down south the plastic disintegrates and the metal stays great.

 

[SHOZ123]

Yes just crimp the proper size ring terminal on and then use a washer and nut.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

So. Are you good to go? Or do you still want this connector? Let me know!

 

[SeanMc]

My temp goes up when I turn on my lights, lol. I'm thinking my sending unit is bad as well.

 

[JRA2000TL]

Fixed! Found my terminal rings and a nut that would fit (8-32 BTW). Stripped the wire back, crimped a terminal ring, connected it, and secured it with a nut as suggested.

Thanks everyone! :wave: