Where are Sensors......?¿
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: NY
Car: 1987 Iroc-z
Engine: 5.7L 350
Transmission: 700 r4
Where are Sensors......?¿
I just got an after market guage pod i found at hte junk yard, very very nice condition, and i am not attempting to install it.... it has 3 gages, temp, oil pressure, and amp gage. I was wondering where these sensors were located on my engine?? The amp one i guess, just connects to the battery, but where do i find where the oil and temp are,
--1987 iroc 350--
thx!
--1987 iroc 350--
thx!
Moderator
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 4,384
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa, OK
A few things:
There is a difference between an amp gauge and a voltage gauge. Hopefully, you're talking about a voltage gauge, and in that case it's usually taken at a wire at the alternator.
An amp gauge, depending on the type is usually wired in series on the positive cable of the battery. They're an inherent fire hazard and I avoid them like the plague.
Next, gauges don't use "sensors". Gauges use "senders". Computers use "sensors".
The oil pressure is taken from a bell-shaped sender on top of the block back by the distrubutor in 87 Camaros. In 88 and later, it's taken from a combo sender/pressure switch installed by the oil filter.
The fuel level is obviously taken from the lead from the fuel tank level sender.
The tach is taken from the tach lead (white wire or sometimes green) or the negative side of the coil.
Water temp is aquired from the sender threaded into the driver's side head between #1 and #3 spark plugs. It's a green wire.
Keep in mind it reads a bit hotter than your average coolant system temperature since it's in direct contact with the cylinder head. If you want an accurate reading (hey I have a 180° stat and it's reading 220°!) then install the sender where you want readings, e.i. at the thermostat. In this situation you want a more accurate sender than the crap G.M. one, so don't put a great deal of faith in good gauges when you re-use stock GM senders.
There is a difference between an amp gauge and a voltage gauge. Hopefully, you're talking about a voltage gauge, and in that case it's usually taken at a wire at the alternator.
An amp gauge, depending on the type is usually wired in series on the positive cable of the battery. They're an inherent fire hazard and I avoid them like the plague.
Next, gauges don't use "sensors". Gauges use "senders". Computers use "sensors".
The oil pressure is taken from a bell-shaped sender on top of the block back by the distrubutor in 87 Camaros. In 88 and later, it's taken from a combo sender/pressure switch installed by the oil filter.
The fuel level is obviously taken from the lead from the fuel tank level sender.
The tach is taken from the tach lead (white wire or sometimes green) or the negative side of the coil.
Water temp is aquired from the sender threaded into the driver's side head between #1 and #3 spark plugs. It's a green wire.
Keep in mind it reads a bit hotter than your average coolant system temperature since it's in direct contact with the cylinder head. If you want an accurate reading (hey I have a 180° stat and it's reading 220°!) then install the sender where you want readings, e.i. at the thermostat. In this situation you want a more accurate sender than the crap G.M. one, so don't put a great deal of faith in good gauges when you re-use stock GM senders.