I just purchased a 1984 Recaro Trans Am with a 305ci that needed a water pump. While inspecting the car I found this sensor that has two wires going to it. Can someone tell me what it is and what it for? It’s damaged and I would like to replace it.
Thank you

 

Looks like the old style coolant temperature sensor for the PCM. Does it have a CCC carburetor? Does the system work?

 

I’m not sure what you mean by a “CCC” carburetor. Do you mean computer controlled carburetor? I believe yes. It’s a Quadrajet that has several sensors on it.

 

That's exactly what it is.

The old "coaxial" sort of connector it came with, ALWAYS fails. The insulation between the center pin and the outer ring crumbles to dust. Additionally, the tape they wrapped it with (strange shiny black thin stuff with filaments to it) had something about the glue or the black gooey gloppy goop they packed it with that EATS the wires, causing them to also crumble to dust, which you can kinda see in your photo, in the way that the insulation on them is completely gone near the connector. It is THE GARBAGE.

The newer style uses a 2-pin oval connector. Lots of those come with a new pigtail with them in the box. Get one like that and go ahead and change that old POS out. The car might even run awholehelluvalot better.

 

Yes a Computer Command Control system. The question is does it work? Does the check engine light come on with the key on? Can you flash codes and from memory I believe the carburetor solenoid should cycle while flashing codes. Do you have a way of reading data, those cars are limited but coolant temp is a parameter you can read.
If the CCC system isn't working then the sensor isn't a factor unless you want to make it all work.

 

Ect

 

Thank you to sofakingdom & Beeman for the info. Will the sensor in the cached picture work? Does it matter how the wires are connected? The check engine light does come on when I cycle the key, but I did not read the codes. The engine does run rough and sometimes stalls out when driving. I just got the car a week or so ago and really could not drive it because the water pump was leaking so bad and it would get hot quickly.

 

Yes. The exact right one.

It does not.

Don't use the Scotchloks. Recipe for permanent problems. If you have the facilities, use solder, heat shrink, & tape; if not, use regular butt splices, preferably uninsulated (or remove the sleeve), and tape the wires individually as thoroughly as possible.

 

Thank you! Yes I did not intend on using the scotch locks. Butt connectors and shrink wrap was the plan.