what sensor is this?
 

ok so a while back when I was changing my water pump, we managed to break a sensor (or it was broke and we just noticed it).... its on the drivers side valve cover towards the very front of the engine...not really sure which one it is...oh yeah... its a 3.4

engine coolant temp sensor for the computer

edit: wait on the valve cover? :?

yeah... i actually bought the coolant temp sensor... and then realized that wasnt what it was... its on the valve cover

edit... let me check real quick to make sure......ok its right BELOW the valve cover

http://www.bobboka.com/whatsensoristhis.jpg

theres a picture

i can't say for sure but i think its the coolant temp sensor for the computer.

there is a separate one for the gauge on the dash.

where did you go to get it? could have been human error involved.

whats broken?

yeah, the dash gauge is acting up.... because i ran my scanner while i drove it around to test the temperature and the temperature never got more than 190F on the scanner, but at some points the gauge said it got up to like 260 which was worrying me but i believe the scanner cuz its hooked up to the sensor that works...i thought it would be a coolant sensor too but i wasnt sure... the sensor that hooks up tot he computer is in the center of the engine under the intake plenum... this one must be the one that connects to the gauge... the plastics broke and you can pull it right off... the contacts are still touching though, i just want to replace it for piece of mind

ah my bad, haven't been under the 3.4's hood in ages. well with what you said there, i would be inclined to believe that is for the gauge cluster then. i can check when i go to work monday for you. have you tried unplugging it and checking the dash gauge's operation?

do you mean the plastic tab on the connector? you would have to buy it from GM and wire it in.

no, the plastic on the sensor broke, the connector is still intact

Definately looks like a coolant temp sending unit.

yeah... i looked on rockauto's catalog and they have two entries... one for a sensor and one for a sender... so i guess the one im looking for is a sender...sendors talk to gauges and sensors talk to the ecm right?

My understanding is that senders and sensors can both be linked to the ECM or a guage, but senders are usually on / off, while a sensor will show you a range.

For instance, an oil pressure sensor can be used to measure current oil pressure and display it on a gauge, and an oil pressure sender can be used to tell an ECM to cut fuel and spark when it senses a certain (low) oil pressure condition to shut off the engine.

- Justin