Problems with a Oreillys temp sensor?

[o6r1man]

The temp sensor was not working on my 70 chevy so I went to oreillys and picked up a new temp sensor for it, and after installing it the gauge is working but it heats up (by the gauge) quick and keeps on going over to HOT (by the gauge) and pegs out. The truck doesnt seem to be over heating, so has anyone else used oreillys temp sensors with good luck? Or did I just happen to get a bad one? I searched some before posting and didn't find what I was looking for....

[COACHMEASON]

I have the same problem ...read some info on here...I guess if it's not gm it's going o questionable if it works correctly ...also, do not use thread tape
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[Wrenchbender Ret]

Make sure you get the right part. About 1978 they changed to a different resistance. The early one was 1/2 in. pipe thread & the later one is 3/8.

[70CHEVYBB]

I've tried them both on my 70 and same problem. I gave up

[o6r1man]

Its the "1/2 sensor...Has anyone tried getting one for the local GM dealer?

[buckskins4ever]

I would remove the sensor and exchange it. sounds like it could be screwed up. Alot of the sensor they get there are the same as GM is going to give you for 1/3 the cost. Be sure not to overtighten when reinstalling it. very possible to crack the sensor and not know you did it.....which will throw bad readings.

[Rufton]

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

Make sure you get the right part. About 1978 they changed to a different resistance. The early one was 1/2 in. pipe thread & the later one is 3/8.

I found a temp sensor that works on 66 at autozone. They let me look at mfg catalog and I found one that looked correct. They ordered it and it worked. The book didn't have resistance specs but did have pictures and thread specs.

I've run into resistance spec issues before; in some cases you can add a resistor to improve indication but may affect zero, etc.

[lha1992]

I know this is an old thread also but i've ran into the same problem with my own '72 right now. I replaced the temp sender in my truck on the drivers side head and its saying the truck is running like reallyyy hot. I mean almost to the H-mark on the gauge.

While idling it'll cool down a little bit but still be way above half and then driving it'll be almost to the H but not quite. It'll still read between the 2 marks between C and H.

Could be the sender you think? Bought it from O'reillys also. I bought a mechanical gauge for $20 there and gonna take the stock gauge sender out and plug in the mechanical after-market gauge in and see if its really running that hot or not.