LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Sensor in radiator

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Old 08-05-2011, 12:35 PM
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Default Sensor in radiator

What is the sensor in the right hand radiator tank?

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Old 08-05-2011, 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Big Al
What is the sensor in the right hand radiator tank?

Al 95 Z28
There is a coolant level sensor under the vent cap with a big square plug on it, is that what you mean?
Old 08-05-2011, 12:48 PM
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There is a red low coolant light that will come on your dash if it malfunctions or is low and it cost about $40 and is a mild PITA to replace. The body of it is green in color and the part that is in the radiator has two poles that when immersed in antifreeze make a circuit to keep the light off, when the circuit is broken by not having the poles immersed, the light comes on. (Replaced mine a while ago so I consider myself near expert on the Coolant Level Sensor)
Old 08-05-2011, 01:03 PM
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Do you know how to bypass the damn thing? Mine has failed and I refuse to pay $40 for a sensor that is almost useless.
Old 08-05-2011, 01:17 PM
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Thanks. Was thinking it might be some sort of temperature sensor that might be useful....

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Old 08-05-2011, 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by LSXNV
Do you know how to bypass the damn thing? Mine has failed and I refuse to pay $40 for a sensor that is almost useless.
You just unplug it.
Old 08-05-2011, 01:31 PM
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I would assume you would just need to short the wires, but you may need a resistor. This I do not know.

If you have the 2 pin sensor, its GM PN# 10096163. If you have the 8 pin sensor, its GM PN# 12135027. All 1993 models are GM PN# 10195576.
Old 08-05-2011, 01:35 PM
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Yeah, I would unplug it but I want the light to turn of too.
Old 08-05-2011, 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by LSXNV
Yeah, I would unplug it but I want the light to turn of too.
Then unplug it like I said, LOL. That eliminates the light coming on. You asked how to bypass it and I gave you the answer.
Old 08-05-2011, 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by shbox
Then unplug it like I said, LOL. That eliminates the light coming on. You asked how to bypass it and I gave you the answer.
Sorry dude, Im gettin so used to seeing smart *** comments on here that I tend to miss honest comments. I should have looked at the name first. Your info pretty much saved my *** when I put this engine together. Almost made it a painless install.
Old 08-05-2011, 02:17 PM
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Hey dude, does this work on the oil level sensor too?
Old 08-05-2011, 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by LSXNV
Do you know how to bypass the damn thing? Mine has failed and I refuse to pay $40 for a sensor that is almost useless.
Did you try and clean it?
Old 08-05-2011, 02:35 PM
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Originally Posted by LSXNV
Hey dude, does this work on the oil level sensor too?
You will get a low oil light if you simply unplug it. It is nothing more than a switch. All you have to do is jump the two terminals (I used a household staple) and the sensor light will stay off.
Old 08-05-2011, 02:37 PM
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Cool, now my dash won't look like a fricken X-mas tree!
Old 08-05-2011, 05:30 PM
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Take the bulb out of the cluster..lol..

Some Radiators don't have them..that spot isn't even there.
Old 08-05-2011, 11:21 PM
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Call me crazy, but I like it when the car tells me there's a problem with low coolant or oil. Saved my engine a time or 2 back in the day. $40 < $1000, and with the age of these things, it wouldn't be uncommon for a hose or main seal to spring a leak.
Old 08-06-2011, 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by engineermike
Call me crazy, but I like it when the car tells me there's a problem with low coolant or oil. Saved my engine a time or 2 back in the day. $40 < $1000, and with the age of these things, it wouldn't be uncommon for a hose or main seal to spring a leak.
Sometimes running an oil level sensor is virtually impossible due to setup unless a bung is drilled elsewhere in the pan. It's pretty simple to avoid any fluid problems- Check them regularly like done in the old days before the usage of "idiot lights."
Old 08-06-2011, 09:06 AM
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Mine leaks from the oil level sensor... the irony in that one.
Old 08-06-2011, 02:20 PM
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I cleaned my coolant level sensor with rubbing alcohol and a q-tip and it works now. I had been leaving it unplugged for a long time. If cleaning it hadn't worked I would have just left it unplugged, can't justify the crazy price for those things.
Old 08-09-2011, 11:53 AM
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Alright, a few weekes ago, the light would always come on when the engine temp. reached about 200. Thinking it was that #$%^ sensor I went to my local NAPA store to get a replacement. After the install, the light didn't come on untill I drove for about 20 minutes and then parked it. (the light was off untill I returned to my car to leave) When I turned my car back on the light was on and stayed on all the way home. Later that day the light never came on. So now it comes on about ince a day exactly like that. I went back to the NAPA store thinking I just got a bad sensor but that wasn't it either. I don't want to just unplug it, I'd like to just have the peace of mind that my car is perfect.


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