Could use a hand...

My car has been overheating on and off lately. I already had a new radiator put in it, its not leaking, and the antifreeze is getting hot like it should. However, about two weeks ago I thought it might be the thermostat, so I bought the top of the line lifetime warrantee kind and put that in. It ran fine up until yesterday...:banghead:, and I'm thinking it may be the serpentine belt, which I haven't had time to go check yet (plan on doing that tonight after work) it may be wearing and not pulling the water pump as good as it should (no water pump leaks http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/images/smilies/smile.gif ), or the temperature sensor to the ECM which turns the fan on and off.

My question is this: Can someone please tell me an easy way to not only find the temperature sensor, but also how to change it? Thanks very much for your help. http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/images/smilies/smile.gif

Anybody out there that knows about the temperature sensor on this car? :uhoh: Please? :1zhelp: I realize I'm a :newbie:, but have a heart.

What about water pump internals?

Are you missing the coil spring in the lower radiator hose that I understood it to keep it from collapsing during water pump suction?

even know it is a firebird, it is still a f-bodie, so post in the camaro part and they will know excetly whats wrong.

Arent those on the thermostat housing on those? If not it could be on the side of the head or somwhere on the intake possibly. Its prolly on the side of the head like where the exhaust bolts to it. A wrench should be able to take it off. if not that a deep socket. If you have a chance to look in the hayes book they sell at auto zone, it will have a page that will tell you exactly where it is, and everything else you may have questions about. It will be a page with a number over each object, and the legend will tell you what each number is pointed too. That would be your best bet i think.

On my 87', the fan kicked on after it was already too hot, even with a new sensor and thermostat, so i ran a wire to an ACCY buss on my fuse box. Never game me another problem.

even know it is a firebird, it is still a f-bodie, so post in the camaro part and they will know excetly whats wrong.
Or could just use the subs and both forums will see it. :)

What about water pump internals?Could be...but unlikely...just ruling out the basics right now.

Are you missing the coil spring in the lower radiator hose that I understood it to keep it from collapsing during water pump suction?Thanks for the idea, but why can't anyone answer the simple straight question that was asked here?

Since yesterday, I found out where the temperature sensor is fromt the guy I purchased one from, and understand it may be a really stupid question to you guys, but this may be the whole problem. When I unplugged the sensor, the fan came on telling me that its not the fan motor, but must be the sensor not engaging the motor to cool the engine.

Arent those on the thermostat housing on those? If not it could be on the side of the head or somwhere on the intake possibly. Its prolly on the side of the head like where the exhaust bolts to it. A wrench should be able to take it off. if not that a deep socket. If you have a chance to look in the hayes book they sell at auto zone, it will have a page that will tell you exactly where it is, and everything else you may have questions about. It will be a page with a number over each object, and the legend will tell you what each number is pointed too. That would be your best bet i think.

On my 87', the fan kicked on after it was already too hot, even with a new sensor and thermostat, so i ran a wire to an ACCY buss on my fuse box. Never game me another problem.AND WE HAVE A WINNER!!! :smooch: The only man on two different forums, and here two different threads that could actually give me a straight answer. I don't know who you are, but thank you very much! Yes, that is exactly where it is, I know that now, didn't yesterday, and plan on changing it in the next hour or so on break. I do have the book and have been looking at the picture and stuff for the past two days, but had no idea where I might find it anyway, even when I checked it this morning, I looked everywhere, and couldn't find it for anything. Went to the auto parts place, and the guy found it in a second! I know it may seem like a simple question, but when you don't know something, its not really that simple.

Okay, I figured out what you are talking about as far as running a wire to an accessory back up stabilization system, but have no idea from where or even how to do that, and quite frankly am afraid to mess with something that didn't come with the car when it was made. It sounds like it worked for you, and it may work for my car too, but I'm not that skilled or brave for that matter. If the sensor replacement I do in a little while doesn't work, I'll be back to ask you how that might go. Thank you so much for your help! :grinyes:

Or could just use the subs and both forums will see it. :)Thank you, you're sweet! :grinyes:

One more quick question, I hope someone can tell me soon....do I have to use something on the threads to seal the sensor to the case so it doesn't leak? I didn't buy any silicone, can I use something else around an office or house? Thank you again! :)

P.S. Since this post, I called the auto parts place and they said I don't need any, but thank you for responding to my other post anyway! Have a great Friday! :)

you said you were looking for the temp sensor...that is on the front of the intake manifold facing forward and has a 2 wire connector on it. The item located in the driver side head is the temp sender that operates the gauge and has a single wire connector. The sensor is what sends signals to the ECM which turns the fans on and off, you may also have a fan switch located in the passenger side head that will turn the fan on as well.

NP. The places i mentioned are typical locations that cover several years. I dont actually have any firebird books, and ive never owned a 92'.

I use FURON for fittings like that. A friend of mine has a plentiful supply of it so ive never bought it. Its like regular thread tape only way better.

If it bolts to the front of the intake then its different than i actually had pictured, and ive seen some exactly as morley said. Im mostly goin by memory of past jobs. Mines on the side of the head but thats somthing i put there. My 82 has a 350 wich is hard to keep cool so i added a 195 degree switch wired to a relay to turn on the electric fan.

It has a 6 blade flex fan with no clutch, wich you would think could manage the job, but it dont. On a hot day sitting in a taco bell line waiting for food ive seen both temp gauges go up past 230. With the added electric fan i can keep it under 200 sitting still at a FF restaraunt.


If that doesnt help dig this thread up and we will figure out a way to make your fan blow. Make sure they hand you the right part so you arent replacing the wrong thing.

The fan should have two wires. One side is +12 volts, the other side is the ground. If you have to wire it yourself remember the fan will spin both ways but the air is supposed to be sucked through the radiator by the fan.

Hope your on the road to fixin your problem and welcome to the forum. Lots of these people here know what they are talking about.

On my 87', the fan kicked on after it was already too hot, even with a new sensor and thermostat, so i ran a wire to an ACCY buss on my fuse box. Never game me another problem.I believe this is what I already have possibly. My mechanic could not understand why someone ran a ground wire from the relay to something else which kept the fan running constantly. He said it would wear out the fan. However, I think it is the only thing that is keeping my car cool at all.

My car has been running really well lately, praise the Lord. Just as it should and the only thing that was done to it at all after I spoke to you guys was the guy in the auto parts place while showing me where my temp sensor was pulled it off and put it back on! My guess is there was a lose connection, probably from going over some of the cobblestone streets around here *sigh* Anyway since then I think the connection is good again and it is running well, weird I know, but my car truly has a temperment and a mind of her own. I kept the new temp sensor and still have my tools in the back of my trunk just in case I ever have to change it though, I'm ready. Thanks so much guys for all your help! :grinyes:

NP. The places i mentioned are typical locations that cover several years. I dont actually have any firebird books, and ive never owned a 92'.

I use FURON for fittings like that. A friend of mine has a plentiful supply of it so ive never bought it. Its like regular thread tape only way better.

If it bolts to the front of the intake then its different than i actually had pictured, and ive seen some exactly as morley said. Im mostly goin by memory of past jobs. Mines on the side of the head but thats somthing i put there. My 82 has a 350 wich is hard to keep cool so i added a 195 degree switch wired to a relay to turn on the electric fan.Yup, its just like he said. Thanks too, Morley. :grinyes: Yea, that's exactly what my mechanic found and wanted to find out why it was like that, he thinks there is a problem elsewhere that someone would hook it up like that. My guess is that even though he is a good mechanic for a lot of things and doesn't charge me an arm and a leg, he doesn't know these kind of cars as well as someone who knows these kinds of cars does.

It has a 6 blade flex fan with no clutch, wich you would think could manage the job, but it dont. On a hot day sitting in a taco bell line waiting for food ive seen both temp gauges go up past 230. With the added electric fan i can keep it under 200 sitting still at a FF restaraunt.


If that doesnt help dig this thread up and we will figure out a way to make your fan blow. Make sure they hand you the right part so you arent replacing the wrong thing.

The fan should have two wires. One side is +12 volts, the other side is the ground. If you have to wire it yourself remember the fan will spin both ways but the air is supposed to be sucked through the radiator by the fan.

Hope your on the road to fixin your problem and welcome to the forum. Lots of these people here know what they are talking about.Thank you for the welcome, and I'm sure there are a lot of guys who know what they are talking about here, I'm grateful. :) Hey, I've truly been in that Taco Bell line, no lie, in the middle of the line where you cannot get out because there is a barrier and my car was getting red hot. Not only is it the most scariest thing because your car (which is close to your heart) is dying, but its embarrasing too. I finally got to the end of the line and told the lady at the window I had to park it in the lot immediately to let it cool off. She was taken back by what I had to tell her, I guess people don't tell her that their car is overheating every day. That's so funny. I'm glad to know that I am not the only one who has been in that position before, its weird how people have similar experiences. Thanks again for your help, you are truly appreciated, and I will definitely come back and post should I have any other questions. I'm glad I found this forum. :iceslolan

Oh, this is just too frustrating! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: My car is still overheating. I changed the temperature sensor, and it ran good for a few days, now it is back to overheating. If the air conditioner is on, it overheats faster, but it still does it when the air conditioner is off. Sometimes it surges if I have the air conditioner on, and it surges hard too.

I really need some help here. Does anyone have any ideas what this problem could be? Everything mechanical seems to check out fine, at least that is what my mechanic said last, then he wanted to have the electrical system checked. Do you think it could be that? Do you think I should go ahead and pay the extra expense to have the radiator system flushed out?

Please help me, I don't know what to do. :crying:

I would flush the entire coolant system, and check it for flow. The radiator could be partially clogged causing extra heat. Very common problem.

If the water pump blades are worn down from corrosion, it could cause poor flow throughout the system. this is not very common but ive seen several like this so if all else fails you may have to pull it down and inspect it. Ford probes are especially bad about that...

Ive seen several thermostats throughout the years be faulty brand new in the box, so never rule this out. This is actually the most common problem ive faced working with GM style thermostats. They can open too early, wich doesnt let the water hang out in the radator long enough to cool down. If they open too late it also causes overheating cause the water stays in the block too long. A conventional oven set to the right temp can tell you if the thermostat is working right. Just put the stat in some water in a temperature resistant container and let it heat up in the oven and see what it does.

If the fuel mixture or ignition timing is off (electrical) It can cause higher combustion temperature, but shouldnt be bad enough to make it boil over. If this were the case other performance related issues would be apparent.

BTW if you have a 195 thermostat you might want to try a 180 thermostat. They open earlier.