Which sensor is what? (Installing triple gauge set)

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DaneCLTNC

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jan 30, 2017
9
6
3
So I've bought a triple gauge set and am trying to prep for install.

I've got the 307 Y motor in my 86 regal and am having trouble finding correct info.

So there are three sensors right close to each other. Trying to figure out which is which. See photo.

One has a single tan wire
One has a green wire and a green/white(or faded yellow)
One has a black wire and white wire

From what I've researched the water temp sensor should just have a green wire, but I've also read that it could have two wire, one for dummy light one for gauges. Thing is my car only has a dummy light. I'm guessing that I'll lose my dummy light when I install the new temp sensor?

Also, where's the best spot to install the oil pressure? And is the best way to keep the dummy light to use a T fitting?

I'm new to American made cars, I've only really worked on mid 90s Honda's and Subarus so I'm in a new world here lol
 

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DaneCLTNC

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jan 30, 2017
9
6
3
Well after much searching I found some info on an Olds forum.
The top left, beside the tstat, is for gauges and dummy light even though I only have dummy lights.
To the right of that is the ECM water temp sensor with a black and white wire
And the single tan wire is the oil pressure dummy light.

After getting everything hooked up, I'm getting readings of about 200° driving and idle temps which seems a bit high to me. I honestly think I need to replace the radiator so that will come sometime soon. On the oil pressure, at idle and in park I get about 20psi, at idle in gear about 10psi, and anywhere between 25 and 45 psi driving depending on how hard I'm pushing. Getting about 14.5-15 volts as well.

Glad to have gotten these things installed so I can see what is happening in the car.
 

ttype

Greasemonkey
Jan 30, 2017
239
223
43
Brockville, Ontario.
whao... that voltage seems a tad high for local cars, unless you're running a CS135 or CS 144alternator . 13.8 is somewhat regular, to a bit above 14V. are all of your earths and positive leads tight/ sound? what condition is your battery in? oh...and welcome back from the dark side.

seeing as it's an 86, you're likely running a feedback carburetor, and even though you're describing an idiot light on the dash, there is an ecm that needs to have a temperature signal for spark control(among other things). that red light tells you when you are running out of options. the computer will try to keep up until it's too late. if you see some green death(copper rad) or white powder(aluminum), don't wait for a leak to start pricing one. not being familiar with olds water pumps at all, you could monitor your cooling sustem with your extra gauge, if there is a plug in an unused port on the water pump (look for one on the engine side of the water pump pulley. you should be able to see a difference in water temp between the sender just under the t-stat and what's heading into the motor.(so long as that threaded fitting is still "ahead" or "upstream"of the water pump gasket.

is the light colored wire (temp) yellow or white?

having a Haynes automotive repair manual "19030(627)" is a real handy dandy book to have around. lots of great info in it;)
 

DaneCLTNC

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jan 30, 2017
9
6
3
I'm not sure about the alternator, I just got the car last month and am just starting to learn the ropes of this car.

It is a CCC, not sure if that means it's a feedback carb or not, I'm REALLY new to carbs lol. There are only two ports I saw for the water temp sensors, and both were being used. One was for the dummy light and one was for the ECM.

There are three sensors in that photo, two on the intake for the water temps and one lower down for the oil pressure.

The oil pressure has a single tan wire

The left water temp sensor had two wires, one green and one green/white stripe.

The right side water temp sensor had two wires, one black and one white.

I'm definitely looking for a new radiator, I came home one day and noticed a hissing, and fluid around the DS radiator. It's only happened once, but it had me concerned enough to throw these gauges in (they were cheaper than a new radiator for the moment lol)
 

DaneCLTNC

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jan 30, 2017
9
6
3
I installed the new temp sensor in place of the one with the green wires btw
 

ttype

Greasemonkey
Jan 30, 2017
239
223
43
Brockville, Ontario.
just looking at my haynes manual, that green wire isn't shared with anything else but a light on the dash... hmmm, saw that you wrote wires, so checked again, and it does send a signal to an input inside the ecm. whether you have the deluxe dash or not, you could isolate that connector' plug to avoid it touching and grounding which could give you palpitation...

tagging that wire will help you down the road too... lots of guys here know exactly which wire do what from memory, while others need all the help they can get like reference manuals...

if you're contemplating repowering that thing in the future, it likely won't hurt the bank to upsize your rad in preparation for it... i like visiting RockAuto's website to see what cars came with what powertrains(in the g-body familly) in order to spec a rad, alternator, clutch fan, things like that. but you have to be mindful of things like a/c when ordering alternators. some motors have devices located on different sides of available engines... please do keep that in mind...

one or two good choices for radiators is the diesel rad(remember your engine family because you have an olds motor right? i also like the 78 chev malibu 350 station wagon towing package rad for the chevy drivetrains, available cooling fans and fan clutches... just little examples to help you decide how you'll prep for later upgrades, or remain extra careful with a keeper as it is... they'll ask you for a VIN "?" in the case of 5.0L engines so you don't order a chevy water pump for your 307, 5.7 same thing...

have a good one, don't run that thing too hot or far if the rad is puddling already... one poorly timed traffic snarl could push that rad to let the smoke out...

take 'er easy! lots of knowledge around here, ask away someone will help ya.

r.
 

MrSony

Geezer
Nov 15, 2014
6,791
6,673
113
Des Moines, Iowa
When the time comes, a 350 Olds will swap right in there. If you need to pass smog where you live, you can toss all the computer stuff on the engine, carb, distributor and all. A hissing rad will leave you stranded when you least expect it. Measure your rad in width, length and height and get one in those dimensions but in aluminum. They're as cheap as 115$ from Summit Racing and similar sites. Rock Auto's prices are cheap yes, but they screw you on shipping.
 
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ttype

Greasemonkey
Jan 30, 2017
239
223
43
Brockville, Ontario.
hey... dummy lights aren't always for dummies... a guage can creep on ya and if you weren't looking there at the right time, POOF!

ttyl,

r.
 
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ttype

Greasemonkey
Jan 30, 2017
239
223
43
Brockville, Ontario.
feedback is just a term for us young dinosaurs. the carb has a lot of intricacies like the older old fashioned carbs. feedback is stuff like throttle position sensor, Manifold Absolute Pessure. Inlet Air Temperature, there's other info your ECM needs too, without going on and on... and on like i usually do...

r.
 
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