Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 2 wires????

[PathyPapa]

Since I got my 95 pathy, shes been running rich it appears. I noticed rhe temperature gauge hardly works( or its constantly displays it as cold, sometimes a quarter inch past but never at a medium pace);

so i decided to remove the sensors, in which they were filthy.

Cleaned them out, when suddenly i noticed the connection to the engine CTS was damaged (the pigtail);

Upon looking for a new replacement pigtail, i noticed everything online came with two wires. BUT MINE ONLY HAS ONE!!

I cant find anything to help.

P.S.

The A/C was removed from the vehicle before ownership.

Please help!!!

[Slartibartfast]

There are two temp sensors. The one for the dash is one-wire. The one for the computer has two. If the plug for the two-wire is damaged, that could well explain why it's running rich. If it's not the sensor, and it really is struggling to come up to temp, that suggests a stuck or missing thermostat, which could also explain it running rich.

 

If you're looking for the plug for the one-wire, I would try a few sizes of spade terminal and see which one fits. I suspect the stock plug is just a spade terminal with a fancy plastic case on it.

[gamellott]

Agreed what @Slartibartfast said regarding the wires. My 92' has both sensors located adjacent to eachother on the neck to the upper radiator hose. The 2 wire connector will look almost identical to any of the fuel/emission connectors on the engine.

 

As far as the Temp Gauge and potentially erroneous indication, that could be the result of a failed Voltage Regulator on your instrument cluster. (Not sure if a 95' still has one of those) Replacing that little gizmo fixed the fuel and temp gauges on my rig. 

[PathyPapa]

I appreciate the responses. I found out the truck was missing its thermostat. But my wiring mystery only got worse. upon inspecting the pigtail, the connectors wire eventually snapped off. now i have to find a replacement, but i cant seems to find it online with only a single wire still! 

the pigtail is made with a rubberish cover and has a push option when disconnecting it from the half prong looking ECS. It reads POIFB-L

Again. Thank you for the responses; any further help is appreciated.

[gamellott]

I could be mistaken, but I believe you can get away with a single spade connector for the temperature connector. I know you can get the ones for the clipped in ones found on all of the emission related systems, but that one isn't one that I have seen in the past. If the spade fits, you can put a little bit of heat shrink on the spade for added security.

 

Not having a thermostat could be a big problem in colder climates right now!! Heat is a nice thing to have for sure!!!

Edited January 31, 2025 by gamellott
update

[adamzan]

Something like this would work to fix the spade connector (a female one obviously lol). The temp gauge on these usually sits at 1/4-1/3 during normal temp anyway. The OE thermostat is only 170F (there is an alternate 180F).

 

Edited February 1, 2025 by adamzan