Anyone ever heard of a water temp sending unit that can run an idiot light and a gauge at once? I have an idiot light now, but would like a gauge in addition. There are no more spots to put new sending units.
Oh, I thought a sending unit was fairly universal. It would be for a
1986 Chevy K30 pickup with 6.2 diesel.Shep wrote:
Functionally, I guess you could say sending units [electrical] are universal. Essentially, they are an electrically-read unit that creates resistance within the unit as a function of temperature.
As to applicability, that's more about the size of the sensor, thread size/diameter, generally it's physical size. While not the same vehicle, I did what you are thinking of with a Jeep Cherokee straight six. I got a T fitting, installed that into where the temp. sensor was. I then put the temp. sensor in one end, and a mechanical water temp. guage tube in the other. The main hassles I had were in buying adapters to mount the mech. [aftermarket] guage tube onto the T-fitting. I used a T-shaped fitting, but you may need to use an L-shaped fitting in addition [mounted on the T-fitting at one end], in order th get clearance around the mounting area for one or the other or both sensors or tube/sensor. It can be a lot of plumbing and use of adapters.
The one thing I found out was my electrical unit read about 10 degrees lower than actual, and the mech.guage was spot on, after the project was complete [and, man, it was a project, LOL]. Because the elect. guage read lower, the cooling fan was delayed in coming on, which I didn't like. That's one more thing to consider.
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.