For the EA81 engine, and 1983 Brat, does anyone know where the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor is? There is a sensor near the thermostat housing (which is by where the upper radiator hose connects to the intake manifold I think, passenger side of engine bay) but this sensor is two-pronged which means that, according to all parts catalogs that I've looked at, it is the radiator fan switch, not the temp. sensor that connects with the dashboard temp. gauge. The temperature sensor is just one pronged (at least the aftermarkets that you can buy are one pronged).

on the radiator mine was on the passenger side next to the fan

on the radiator mine was on the passenger side next to the fan

No that's the thermo switch for the fan, the temp sender for the gauge is in the intake, its a single prong sender, its fairly easy to find

For the EA81 engine, and 1983 Brat, does anyone know where the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor is? There is a sensor near the thermostat housing (which is by where the upper radiator hose connects to the intake manifold I think, passenger side of engine bay) but this sensor is two-pronged which means that, according to all parts catalogs that I've looked at, it is the radiator fan switch, not the temp. sensor that connects with the dashboard temp. gauge. The temperature sensor is just one pronged (at least the aftermarkets that you can buy are one pronged).

Someone replaced it with a two prong is what happened you have the right area, the thermo switch for the fan is also single prong and is in the radiator.

The one on the intake is the gaige. the one on the radiator is the fan switch. the radiator has to be grounded to the wire near the hood latch for the thermo switch to work.

This is all weird because when you look for parts, the ECT sensor is single-pronged, while the fan switch is two-pronged. I see a single-pronged switch on the radiator, and I see a two-pronged switch on the intake manifold, passenger side.. How could they be switched like that?

They should both be single pronged here's a couple pics

Sorry the last pic is upside down, but that's what the sensors look like.

Acctually I should say switch and sender since their not technically sensors.

Edited June 7, 201312 yr by mikaleda

I was wondering if you ever figured out the temperature sensor problem.  I have an '82 with the Carter/Weber 1bbl carb and it too has the two prong temperature sensor/sender/valve (whichever name you want to call it).  Unfortunately for those of us with this setup, it's hard to find parts.  So far, the only place I have found that has one is the dealership and they want $80.  Anybody know where I can get it cheaper?

wont the single prong one fit in the same hole? If it does just splice a different connector onto the wire. Wire might be fried from the heat over the years anyways