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

Water temp sensor when plugged in makes car run worse

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Old Apr 26, 2026 | 10:23 PM
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Default Water temp sensor when plugged in makes car run worse

Bought the car non running got it running pretty smooth but I've always felt the car was sluggish and slow but never stalled or had trouble idling I was going over the car again when I realized that sensor wasn't plugged in so naturally I plugged it in and it idles way worse odly enough past 2000 rpm that car feels amazing great power no misfire but anything below that it falls on its face and will try to stall out if the throttle is not held wide open.

The car is a 93 firebird formula with a stock lt1
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Old Apr 27, 2026 | 08:22 AM
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Perhaps the sensor is bad. Test it with a meter or look at it with a scanner when plugged in.
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Old Apr 27, 2026 | 02:30 PM
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Do you have a scan tool? I would bet that the sensor or wiring is faulty and the PCM is seeing minimum of range which will give you a pig rich mixture.
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Old Yesterday | 09:27 PM
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Originally Posted by irocbsa
Do you have a scan tool? I would bet that the sensor or wiring is faulty and the PCM is seeing minimum of range which will give you a pig rich mixture.
Does obd1 offer any live data i dont have a obd1 code reader i always briged the connections when attempting to read codes?
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Old Yesterday | 09:30 PM
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Originally Posted by shbox
Perhaps the sensor is bad. Test it with a meter or look at it with a scanner when plugged in.
I have a a code 15 which i believe is something with the coolant temp sensor i bought a new one but it didn't change anything what am i measuring for when testing with a meter resistance or voltage?
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