Which is which?

[Dragstart]

1991 3.0, coolant temp seemed to register low, took a look, no thermostat. That's it! Put one in, temp gauge still wonky. Finally, it's pegged to the left. Figured it was time for a sensor. Looked in Rock, two types...........single and double pole. I see my double pole in top of intake next to thermostat housing. Rock lists some with gauge and some without gauge. I figure one side is gauge, one side to computer. THEN, I see the other sensor, which is a single pole on the front of the engine. Rock lists some of the single poles as with gauge. So, now a little confused. Why two water coolant sensors and which is which and which is for what?

 

[superj]

You have a gage? Order both for gage.

 

[Uncle Gump]

No...

Single is for the gauge.

Double is the ECT for the ECM

 

[SenorNoob]

Gump is right.

Also they RARELY go bad. Sometimes need to be cleaned to make good contact though. No thread tape or sealer when you put it in. It grounds the gauge through the intake.

 

[Dragstart]

No...

Single is for the gauge.

Double is the ECT for the ECM

Ok, that makes sense. I had disconnected the double and got check engine light, of course. It was a little after that the gauge pegged to the left, I thought that was caused by my disconnecting what I thought was the only coolant related sensor. Then as I'm trying to take the double out, I see the single. Confusion reigned. So............going to replace the single to fix the gauge. BTW...............I had put a 160 thermostat that I had from my 5.0, knowing it wasn't right. Can I run a 180, is that where the computer goes open to closed, like on my Mustang? I know it takes a 195, but can you run a little cooler? Thanks

 

[Uncle Gump]

I use Teflon tape...

Just don't wrap the first couple threads so it can ground.

 

[Dragstart]

Gump is right.

Also they RARELY go bad. Sometimes need to be cleaned to make good contact though. No thread tape or sealer when you put it in. It grounds the gauge through the intake.

It's funny, I had found a single that someone had taken out doing a replacement and dropped down into somewhere and I fished it out, and thought 'Why is this here'?...............still thinking the double was for both gauge and computer. I should have known..................my 5.0 has separate sensors for each. Actually the systems are pretty much the same. '91/'91..........Ford/Ford. I'm wondering if my Moats would be able to tune my Ranger computer, although I haven't even looked for the computer yet.