Thermal Sender/Coolant Sensor Question

[MrIllegalX]

I've done a little research, and want to know if any of you guys think this is right. On my Sr20, my autometer temp. gauge will say then engine is 125 deg. when the engine really is 180 (determined by a temp. gun) and on the stock gauge cluster temp. gauge never goes above the 2nd line. My idle is also slighly speratic at times, and always idles around 1,500 RPMs. With some help I narrowed it down to the thermal sender. I went to the dealership and purchased this part (for a 89 240) not realizing that oh, I don't have an 89 240 engine, I have a Sr20.

So will it still work and do you also think that could be the problem? Thanks.

[Nismo_Freak]

The thermal sender only sends a signal to the dash gauge. The coolant temp sensor (the larger one to the left) is what sends the actual engine temp to the ECU.

Sounds to me like the CTS is faulty, sending a cold engine signal to the ECU and it's stuck in warm-up mode (rich condition, advanced timing, and high idle).

[MrIllegalX]

Ok, so I guess I'll replace both. So will a KA sensor work, or do I need to track down a SR?

Also, where exactly are these sensors located? A picture or somethin would be great.

[Silvia007]

If you still have the KA24E cluster then yeah, you'll need the 89-90 gauge temp sender. For the ECU temp sender, you'll need to get one from a SR20DET. They are located to the right of the throttle body, right on top of the coolant return line. (the line where coolant goes into the engine.)

[rudee023]

If you still have the KA24E cluster then yeah, you'll need the 89-90 gauge temp sender. For the ECU temp sender, you'll need to get one from a SR20DET. They are located to the right of the throttle body, right on top of the coolant return line. (the line where coolant goes into the engine.)

Uh, no. The coolant temp sensor for the ECU (above the throttle body on the left) can be had from a KA24DE. Use a 19mm deep socket and extension. You might have to remove the adjacent cooling line and BTW be careful not to round off the hex part of the sensor.

[MrIllegalX]

I don't have the stock cluster, I believe its out of a 180sx, I'm not sure, but whatever it is, it's from Japan (kph). If anyone knows the part numbers, let me know, the nissan parts guys here arn't the brightest. I already purchased the thermal sender, but I'm not exactly sure if the parts guy knew what I wanted....is this it? Thanks very much.

[MrIllegalX]

im gonna go buy the KA sensor tomorrow if no one objects

[pgt892]

Yes. That is the piece that send the information to the gauge cluster. I picked up the same piece from Autozone. As for the piece that sends the information to the ECU I don't know where you can pick one up.