I was at the junkyard and snagged a couple temp sensors from different vehicles because they were easy to get too...

Are there any differences in the voltage signal from model to model? I only got the ones with the yellow and black wires, but they were from an 90 Lumina and an 87 Bonnevile.

At the time I was thinking that 180 degress is 180 degrees no matter what, but I failed to consider that one might send a different voltage for that temperature (or any given temp).

I also found one in my parts pile and it had a smaller prong that goes into the coolant. It also had a different 2 wire connector, but if I changed the connector would that one work as well?

 

Not that I've seen, or noticed, what does change is response times. An exposed element is faster reacting then say a coolant sensor, where the sensor is hiden behind the brass case.