Thermostat housing sensors 2002 vs 2001 4.0l

[ETHACK]

Got motor installed, however temp gauge is not reading at all, all plugs are in etc, I did put on an aluminum thermostat housing that I got but this one had the push in/clip style sensors, my old had threads, so I got sensors for a 2002 EXPL , mine is 2001 4.0l, However not reading, is there a difference in these sensors? or a "fix" that I can do or should I go back to plastic and original threaded ones? TIA to all, this forum has saved me and made life alot less stressful. Also showing code "PO141 O2 sensor heater circuit Bank 1 sensor 2", I'm thinking it's 1 of the 2 sensors on top as while old ones are both 2 prong, 1 is fat probe the other is slimmer, also 1 is brown and 1 is grey, What are they and what vehicle has 2 that are push in style? Thanks again!!

 

[koda2000]

IDK if this will help you, but...

Whether you have push-in or screw-in type t-stat housing the two things that go into the top are the temp gauge SENDER and the ECU's temp SENSOR. I just replaced my plastic t-stat housing with an aluminum one this past weekend. I have a late production (10/25/01) 2001 Sport Trac 4.0L that has the push-in sender and sensor, which I reused. I did not unplug mine as the plugs looked like the might interchange and I did not want to mix them up. I also marked the red/brown colored plug as "L" for left hole (facing front of engine). After installing my new metal housing everything works as it should. The sender and sensor tips do look different, as you stated, although I don't know which is which. Try switching the connectors around. It sounds like you might have them hooked up backwards as your temp gauge doesn't work and you ECU is not getting a temperature reading to control your O2 senors to enter closed loop mode.

 

[ETHACK]

IDK if this will help you, but...

Whether you have push-in or screw-in type t-stat housing the two things that go into the top are the temp gauge SENDER and the ECU's temp SENSOR. I just replaced my plastic t-stat housing with an aluminum one this past weekend. I have a late production (10/25/01) 2001 Sport Trac 4.0L that has the push-in sender and sensor, which I reused. I did not unplug mine as the plugs looked like the might interchange and I did not want to mix them up. I also marked the red/brown colored plug as "L" for left hole (facing front of engine). After installing my new metal housing everything works as it should. The sender and sensor tips do look different, as you stated, although I don't know which is which. Try switching the connectors around. It sounds like you might have them hooked up backwards as your temp gauge doesn't work and you ECU is not getting a temperature reading to control your O2 senors to enter closed loop mode.

Its crazy but after looking at old sensors I also noticed caps are different colors 1 is grey and 1 is brown also different size probes so went to an orieelies site to look at picks and I found the problem I think it is 2 different sensors, 1 is a coolant sensor (grey one) slim probe, the other is a coolant temp. SWITCH (brown) fat probe. So will pick up tomorrow and see also 2001 are screw in type, 2002 have push in type. I have searched EF as to what these are and read extra, not needed, Ford? Pretty sure this is it though, will post tomorrow once get new part installed if it is. TY for your help for sure.

 

[koda2000]

Its crazy but after looking at old sensors I also noticed caps are different colors 1 is grey and 1 is brown also different size probes so went to an orieelies site to look at picks and I found the problem I think it is 2 different sensors, 1 is a coolant sensor (grey one) slim probe, the other is a coolant temp. SWITCH (brown) fat probe. So will pick up tomorrow and see also 2001 are screw in type, 2002 have push in type. I have searched EF as to what these are and read extra, not needed, Ford? Pretty sure this is it though, will post tomorrow once get new part installed if it is. TY for your help for sure.

Neither is a "switch". Looking at a wiring diagram would tell you which plug is which. My guess would be the sensor with the fatter tip is the one for the ECU, but that's just a guess. I've also seen fatter sensors ones with a pointed tip. I did not take notice of mine while they were out as I was reusing my original push-in sender and sensor and I never unplugged mine. In my case it would not have made a difference.

Have you tried looking at RockAuto's on-line catalog for their images and descriptions?

 

[ETHACK]

Neither is a "switch". Looking at a wiring diagram would tell you which plug is which. My guess would be the sensor with the fatter tip is the one for the ECU, but that's just a guess. I've also seen fatter sensors ones with a pointed tip. I did not take notice of mine while they were out as I was reusing my original push-in sender and sensor and I never unplugged mine. In my case it would not have made a difference.

Have you tried looking at RockAuto's on-line catalog for their images and descriptions?

Rock refers to it as a sender (fat brown one) Grey is a sensor in any event think got it figured out and no clue why orillies calls it a switch but as long as it works and now I know what to order when this one goes out. Ty for all your help!!!

 

[koda2000]

Rock refers to it as a sender (fat brown one) Grey is a sensor in any event think got it figured out and no clue why orillies calls it a switch but as long as it works and now I know what to order when this one goes out. Ty for all your help!!!

No problem. Please let us know when you get it working correctly.

BTW - The only sender on the Explorer that is often correctly as a referred "switch" is the one for your oil pressure gauge, which isn't a gauge so much as it is an idiot light with a needle. The sender/switch for the oil pressure gauge is either ON or OFF. ON if you have a min of 5 PSI of oil pressure and OFF if you have below 5 PSI of oil pressure. Real electronic senders usually work by providing variable OHMs resistance to a real gauge, which then makes the needle of the gauge move a variable amount. Sensors on the other hand provide the ECU with variable voltage, The ECU interprets this voltage and compares if to an expected acceptable range. If the returned voltage is outside the expected range the ECU sets the Check Engine Light (CEL). The ECU uses the returned acceptable range voltage to do things like vary fuel trims, retard ignition timing, control idle speed, etc.

 

[ETHACK]

No problem. Please let us know when you get it working correctly.

BTW - The only sender on the Explorer that is often correctly as a referred "switch" is the one for your oil pressure gauge, which isn't a gauge so much as it is an idiot light with a needle. The sender/switch for the oil pressure gauge is either ON or OFF. ON if you have a min of 5 PSI of oil pressure and OFF if you have below 5 PSI of oil pressure. Real electronic senders usually work by providing variable OHMs resistance to a real gauge, which then makes the needle of the gauge move a variable amount. Sensors on the other hand provide the ECU with variable voltage, The ECU interprets this voltage and compares if to an expected acceptable range. If the returned voltage is outside the expected range the ECU sets the Check Engine Light (CEL). The ECU uses the returned acceptable range voltage to do things like vary fuel trims, retard ignition timing, control idle speed, etc.

Yea makes no sense why oriellies calls it a switch but they do, the new sensor worked my temp gauge works so both are STANDARD 1 is TX104, the other is TS390 and both are the push in type.

 

[donalds]

I replaced my plastic housing with the screw in sensors
With the one you used a all aluminum housing with clip in sensors
Plugged right it and works check your wires

Can Also ohm them out with a volt/ohm meter see if they are the same reading

 

[Lynda t]

Got motor installed, however temp gauge is not reading at all, all plugs are in etc, I did put on an aluminum thermostat housing that I got but this one had the push in/clip style sensors, my old had threads, so I got sensors for a 2002 EXPL , mine is 2001 4.0l, However not reading, is there a difference in these sensors? or a "fix" that I can do or should I go back to plastic and original threaded ones? TIA to all, this forum has saved me and made life alot less stressful. Also showing code "PO141 O2 sensor heater circuit Bank 1 sensor 2", I'm thinking it's 1 of the 2 sensors on top as while old ones are both 2 prong, 1 is fat probe the other is slimmer, also 1 is brown and 1 is grey, What are they and what vehicle has 2 that are push in style? Thanks again!!

Did you ever figure out the two sensors