First off i actually have an 82 corvette but i figured i would ask on here since early 80s trans ams and camaros also came with the Cross Fire Injection engines. My oil temperature sensor is not working. I know the gauge works, grounded wire and gauge shoots all the way hot. My question is i know in modern cars the oil temp sensor could affect the cold idle and could cause surging in low rpms, but on these cars does it have any affect on the ECM? Or is it just actually a sensor that only helps read the temp?

 

I never heard of a thirdgen with an oil temperature sensor. Your Corvette may be different...

 

If this helps it is the sensor thats screwed to the block right above the oil filter. The trans ams and camaros do not have a sensor there?

 

Someone here should know.
I know some later thirdgens had a oil cooler, but I don't remember any temp sensor for it.
Of course I'm always learning something new...

 

1982 is probably a pre ECM engine. Since you know grounding the wire makes the gauge pin over, I'd say you need a new sensor. As for how it affects the rest of the drivability, without and ECM, no affect at all. If it has an ECM then yes it may change how it runs until the oil is at operating temp but I highly doubt a single wire sensor hooked to a guage is going to do that.

 

Yeah it has an ECM, but you are probably right. It is a single wire going to the sensor and the gauge is analog. So most likely just for temperature readings.