Guest nwzeeman Posted April 29, 2005 Share Posted April 29, 2005 During a recent brain fart while sorting through the 78Z engine bay wiring, it appears I discarded the connector that goes onto the 280Z temperature sensor. Looking in my Victoria British 280Z catalog, now I'm not sure if I have the actual water temp sensor or what they refer to as a thermo fan switch. The reason for my confusion is that the sensor I have does not have the M16 thread on it that the JTR book says is need to be tapped into the pipe fitting that goes into the head of the small block chevy (my part has more of a M10 size thread). Question/clarification: What type of connector is on the 280z temp sensor itself. Mine has a white plastic female housing that has two prongs inside. Since I don't have the mating connector, I'm hoping I can buy a replacement temp sensor that would have a 'spade' type connector I could connect my wire to. If anyone has a jpeg of their Z sensor installed in the Chevy small block, that would help too. Any suggestions for replacement 280Z sensors would be helpful. Searching through the older threads, it doesn't look like I can use a standard GM temp sensor with the stock 280Z gauge. The catalog shows a water temp sensor out of a 300zx visually may work (it has a spade connector). Thanks. -Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COZY Z COLE Posted April 29, 2005 Share Posted April 29, 2005 This might help you.... http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/injectors/connectors/index.html LARRY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nwzeeman Posted April 29, 2005 Share Posted April 29, 2005 Close....there is a grainy picture of what appears to be the temp sensor with a black plastic connector on the temp sensor body. I think I have the right sensor based on that pic. Is there a 'retaining nut' that holds the sensor in to the 280Zblock? That might be the M16 thread as shown in the JTR manual? It's been a while since I got rid of the 280z enginge block and I don't recall how the sensor was installed, but I though it just screwed into the block. I'm in the process of calling the local Nissan dealer ship to see if they have a repair 'pigtail' to hook onto my sensor. If I find that, I should be able to screw the sensor into the pipe coupling...I'll just have to figure out what the thread size on the sensor is. -Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COZY Z COLE Posted April 29, 2005 Share Posted April 29, 2005 Let's try this link and yes it screws into the thermostat housing........ http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7543 LARRY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleMX Posted April 29, 2005 Share Posted April 29, 2005 On my 78 the sensor for the temp gauge has a single wire and is located by the thermostat. The two wire one is a switch that is used for the fuel injection. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong please, but I know the John's cars kit came with an adaptor for the single wire unit. I compared the difference between the 2 wire and the 1 wire. They are totally different. Here's a pic of my 1 wire installed into my LS1 block. http://www.circuitflex.com/WaterTemp.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COZY Z COLE Posted April 30, 2005 Share Posted April 30, 2005 DaleMX, You are correct, the sensor with the one wire is called the Thermal Transmitter and it goes to the temp. guage. The two wire sensor goes to the ecu to control a/f. LARRY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nwzeeman Posted April 30, 2005 Share Posted April 30, 2005 Dang, I kept the the wrong one, and tossed the right one. I just called the local store and they've the got the one I need for for $12.95. Thanks for the heads up and the picture. I've got the connector for the single post sensor and should be good to go. -Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COZY Z COLE Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 Just a follow up, here is a better picture and the single wire thermal transmitter is in the upper left, notice the upper right has a bolt and in the 77-78 280Z CA. models there is a emission control sensor in that slot... http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/explodedviews/280z/77fsm/thermostat.gif LARRY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nwzeeman Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 Yep, I definitely kept the wrong one. Thanks for the pic, Larry. I ran down to the parts store this morning and picked up a new one. -Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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