Sensor I found behind alternator.
1997 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2L V8 4x4

The temperature gauge does not start up when the truck is on. Im trying to find any suggestions on whether it may be a thermostat, coolant temp sensor, or sending unit.

Im getting mixed info from google and youtube about which would be the answer. Also,when I bought the coolant temp sensor at Autozone, and looked up the location online (behind alternator, passenger side of engine), the sensor I found looked different than the sensor I bought. The sensor I found had a house-shape head, while the autozone sensor is an oval-shaped head. If anyone could tell me what sensor I found,please do as well.

Thanks!

 

Your truck has two sensors. The one on the passenger side should be a one-wire connector, and that's the one for the gauge. The other sensor is a two-wire, for the PCM, and sits beside the thermostat housing.

 

So I am assuming the two wire is the one I bought, and the one wire is the one in the picture. Any idea where I can purchase the one wire and its name? Autozone had no parts related that they could find.

 

Just another coolant temp sensor.

May have to have a chat with your local dodge dealer, to get the correct part number. The parts catalog I have is being really uninformative.

 

Ok,thank you! I'll let you know how it goes. Either by tomorrow if they have it or probably in a week.

 

If they don't have one, get the part number, and google search the number, someone should have it......

 

Here is a number from the Napa website for the gauge (single wire) sensor.

MPE TS6682SB

Make sure you specify it's for the gauge. When searching for it in most auto parts store so it is listed as "Temperature sensor- gauge". The other (2 wire) is usually listed as "Engine coolant temperature sensor".

 

Thanks for the help everyone! I eventually found that the part you guys are talking about is called Temperature Switch at auto stores. For 10$! Fixed my issue right away!

 

Hi i have a 98 dodge ram. I cannot find the ECT sensor connector anywhere!! I am talking about the ECT sensor located next to the thermostat housing. Can anyone please help?!

98 ram 1500 5.2

 

Is it not plugged into the sensor??

It should be around there somewhere. It's part of the harness, so, it has to be close.