Passenger side

 

knock sensor i believe

 

The knock sensor is a little different looking, a little closer to the firewall.

 

the only 2 sensors that look like that are the knock sensor or temp sender for the gauge

 

Fan switch

 

of course by temp sender, i ment fan switch....

 

If that is a fan switch than what is the sensor on the driver side, about a foot away from the oil filter housing, above the oil press. sensor? Is that a coolant temp sensor for the gauge?

And this was unplugged while my fans were running.

 

Does anyone know where I can find a new connector for this sensor? I think this may have something to do with my blown head gasket. Sucks because just the other week I decided to go outside and make sure my fans were keeping my temp down and they worked perfect.

 

You need a new sensor - the sensor end of the connector is gone.

Then you need the connector on the wire side - any auto parts store, special order a Dorman part number 85140. You can see the connector here - upper left corner of this page, change the page number to page 26, then you'll see the part number 2nd row, 3rd part: http://www.dormanproducts.com/flipbo...log/index.html

 

that is the fan switch, it should control the fans operation. the one on the driver side is the temp sending unit, it controls the temp gauge. there should also be a 3rd temp sensor on the intake, by the water neck, that sends water temp to the ecm. if your fan(s) ran without that switch, chances are a PO rigged it. its a pretty common thing on these cars. and its like newbie said, the switch itself is damaged and needs to be replaced.

 

 

Hmmm it seems to me like it's all a factory setup on the Bird. I checked the fan operation a week or so ago. I don't remember the exact thread but I remember someone telling me around what temp that the fans will kick on and mine kick on around 220.

I know what you're saying though. My friend's camaro was rigged and it was always doing weird stuff. Fans always on, temp gauge all stupid, etc. I guess it's possible that maybe the sensor and plug were barely touching, hopping on and off while driving. And actually, I only heard the fans on after I got home and turned the car off/key on but by then (according to my scan tool) the temp was already 238*.

 

I would agree. I think it is the fan switch.

 

The fan switch only controls the secondary fan. The primary fan is controlled by the ECM.

 

You think this could be the reason why my car blew a head gasket? I was stuck in traffic a lot prior to it going. My heads needed 12 thousandths shaved.