Temp Sending switch ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70GMCer · 11-13-2005, 08:58 AM

Does anyone know if the water temp switch on the head is the same unit if you have the light or the gauge on the dash cluster? I had changed from lights to the gauges, and the needle doesn't go above the 1st mark. Is there something wrong with the gauge, or might it be the wrong switch on the engine? Does anyone have the part number for the gauge sending unit I would need and where to buy it? Auto Zone or Advance doesn't have a clue. They don't list gauges in their parts, which I figured......

thanks, Steve

Longhorn Man · 11-13-2005, 09:00 AM

two seperate part numbers. One has a said connector, the other looks liek a nail head.

70GMCer · 11-13-2005, 09:08 AM

The one I have is a nail head.....which is that for?

**truckdude239** · 11-13-2005, 09:23 AM

the idiot light

sinister72 · 11-13-2005, 09:39 AM

I have the one that looks like a nail head, and it works with my gauge cluster

**68 Stepside** · 11-13-2005, 11:09 AM

The nail head should be for the gauge setup. I've had 3 different gauge clusters in my truck, and 2 different temperature sending units, and at 190 degrees, my needle has always been just on the first mark.

70GMCer · 11-13-2005, 01:04 PM

Same here, near the 1st mark, but at times goes to 3/4 mark for a minute and then back.....That's why I was wondering if I have the right sending unit....

LONGHAIR · 11-13-2005, 01:24 PM

They are deffinately different.
The sender for the gauge should be progressive...making it rise slowly.
The one for the idiot light will jump suddenly.
Why not just test it?
The sender is just a "grounding" unit. If you ground your wire to the gauge it should "peg" the gauge. The gauge sender works like a rheostat, progressively giving more ground. The idiot light just trips all at once, when it hits a pre-determined temp.

If you heat the gauge manually (gently with a propane torch or something similar) while keeping the external housing grounded, you should be able to tell which way it works. The pain factor in this is the you have to remove it for the test.

Another thing that can affect the sender is the ground itself. If you have liquid pipe-dope or excessive wraps of tape........it may not be getting enough ground to go any higher. Since you said that is goes up some and stops, this may be your only problem. If so, you still need to take it out to fix it..........might as well test it while it's out.

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 11-13-2005, 01:27 PM

The Nail Head is correct for the guage, Standard #TS-6, Borg Warner #WT-203. Hope this helps!!

70GMCer · 11-13-2005, 01:59 PM

Thanks for the help on this and also for the part numbers......

11-13-2005, 08:58 AM	#1
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Temp Sending switch ? Does anyone know if the water temp switch on the head is the same unit if you have the light or the gauge on the dash cluster? I had changed from lights to the gauges, and the needle doesn't go above the 1st mark. Is there something wrong with the gauge, or might it be the wrong switch on the engine? Does anyone have the part number for the gauge sending unit I would need and where to buy it? Auto Zone or Advance doesn't have a clue. They don't list gauges in their parts, which I figured...... thanks, Steve __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

11-13-2005, 09:00 AM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Temp Sending switch ? two seperate part numbers. One has a said connector, the other looks liek a nail head.

11-13-2005, 09:08 AM	#3
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: Temp Sending switch ? The one I have is a nail head.....which is that for? __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

11-13-2005, 09:23 AM	#4
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: Temp Sending switch ? the idiot light __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

11-13-2005, 09:39 AM	#5
sinister72 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Bowling Green, kentucky Posts: 182	Re: Temp Sending switch ? I have the one that looks like a nail head, and it works with my gauge cluster __________________ 72 chevy C-10 swb fleetside,402 BB.700r4,buckets,console.etc. 72 Blazer CST 350,AT, new project 1971 Chevy Nova ,355 SB blow through turbo in works.

11-13-2005, 11:09 AM	#6
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,690	Re: Temp Sending switch ? The nail head should be for the gauge setup. I've had 3 different gauge clusters in my truck, and 2 different temperature sending units, and at 190 degrees, my needle has always been just on the first mark. __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

11-13-2005, 01:04 PM	#7
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: Temp Sending switch ? Same here, near the 1st mark, but at times goes to 3/4 mark for a minute and then back.....That's why I was wondering if I have the right sending unit.... __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

11-13-2005, 01:24 PM	#8
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: Temp Sending switch ? They are deffinately different. The sender for the gauge should be progressive...making it rise slowly. The one for the idiot light will jump suddenly. Why not just test it? The sender is just a "grounding" unit. If you ground your wire to the gauge it should "peg" the gauge. The gauge sender works like a rheostat, progressively giving more ground. The idiot light just trips all at once, when it hits a pre-determined temp. If you heat the gauge manually (gently with a propane torch or something similar) while keeping the external housing grounded, you should be able to tell which way it works. The pain factor in this is the you have to remove it for the test. Another thing that can affect the sender is the ground itself. If you have liquid pipe-dope or excessive wraps of tape........it may not be getting enough ground to go any higher. Since you said that is goes up some and stops, this may be your only problem. If so, you still need to take it out to fix it..........might as well test it while it's out.

11-13-2005, 01:27 PM	#9
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Re: Temp Sending switch ? The Nail Head is correct for the guage, Standard #TS-6, Borg Warner #WT-203. Hope this helps!! __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

11-13-2005, 01:59 PM	#10
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: Temp Sending switch ? Thanks for the help on this and also for the part numbers...... __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang



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