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Coolant Level Sensor Replacement

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Old 04-20-12, 08:41 AM
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Coolant Level Sensor Replacement

Hi guys,

I've tried searching all over this forum, and all over google. I've downloaded the FSM and skimmed through it but I seem to be unable to find the answer to my question.

Last night the wire on the front of my coolant level sensor for my 1992 FD broke off and my buzzer started going crazy (scared the crap out of me as I was driving at the time, I thought I was in some serious trouble). I've temporarily grounded out the wire to make the buzzing stop, and this morning I ordered a new sensor and gasket.

However, I don't seem to be able to find a step by step on how to replace this sensor. I fiddled with it when I got home and the engine had cooled but It seems to be a pretty delicate piece of plastic and I don't want to do any damage to the new part when it arrives.

What I'm looking for is a link or a quick how-to on replacing this sensor.

It looked to me like it just screws out, but when I attempted this, it came out to a point and then seemed to be stuck, I didn't want to yank on it and cause any further problems.

Any advice or pointers (or if I'm just terrible at searching and you can point me to an old thread) would be appreciated.

Thanks

-Geoff
Old 04-20-12, 08:57 AM
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just unscrew it off it should come out, i replaced my a few months back, five minute job at the most. Also you could pretty much use the sensor from any generation RX, the only thing you will have to do is change the connector on the sensor.

Last edited by BLACK MAMBA; 04-20-12 at 08:59 AM.
Old 04-20-12, 09:02 AM
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Hrm... this makes me wonder...

As of right now, I can with two fingers spin the sensor a full 360 degrees, and if I pull on it, it will come out about 1/2 an inch (at this point it gets "stuck" and I can't pull it out any further). Is this normal?

-Geoff
Old 04-20-12, 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by CloudPump
Hrm... this makes me wonder...

As of right now, I can with two fingers spin the sensor a full 360 degrees, and if I pull on it, it will come out about 1/2 an inch (at this point it gets "stuck" and I can't pull it out any further). Is this normal?

-Geoff
Sounds like the thread on the sensor is stripped. It's plastic so that's not unusual. Whoever put it in over tightened it.

Just keep trying to unscrew/wiggle it out and if that does work just get mid evil on it
Old 04-20-12, 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Fritz Flynn
Sounds like the thread on the sensor is stripped. It's plastic so that's not unusual. Whoever put it in over tightened it.

Just keep trying to unscrew/wiggle it out and if that does work just get mid evil on it
Thanks Fritz,

I guess I'll just force it out the best I can once the new one arrives

-Geoff
Old 04-20-12, 03:38 PM
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Yeah the plastic is not going to damage the aluminum threads in the water pump housing.
Old 04-20-12, 03:40 PM
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Its all plastic so your good. The best price new for one for a fd is Mazmarts web site. Or you can get a 2nd gen one for 20-30$ and put a different plug on the end of the wire
Old 04-20-12, 10:18 PM
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drill a bolt extractor into it if need me. I would sugest unbolt the thermostat house so you dont put plastic bits into the coolant system
Old 04-21-12, 01:03 AM
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the plastic threads actually cracked on mine. when i tried to remove it the whole sensor just fell apart. i had to thrash it pretty good with pliers to get all of the plastic threads out. the new sensor installed with ease though, just make sure you replace the o-ring
Old 04-21-12, 09:57 AM
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Sounds like a joke:

How many mechanical newbs does it take to .........
Old 04-21-12, 01:45 PM
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Well this is turning into a pain in the ***...

Took off the whole thermostat cover because as Fritz had said the sensor had broken off inside the housing. I've finally managed to get the sensor out (broke it halfway and had to melt the plastic out of the housing)

But now my new sensor won't screw in as the housing is stripped.

Can anyone confirm the threads on the housing (or the sensor) as I'm going to have to get a tap...

-Geoff
Old 04-23-12, 09:08 AM
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All is fixed.

For any who may search this in the future: The Sensor is threaded 12x1.25

Thanks for the help, this would have been much easier except my sensor was broken off in the housing (I'm surprised it wasn't leaking).

-Geoff
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