Had a motor swap done on my 97 1500 5.9. Motor I had put in was a 99. So I got my truck back with no temp gauge. After lots of reading it seems the intakes were designed to run to run one sensor after 97. So the plug is there with no place to go. The original intake is long gone. What is the easiest way to get my gauge working without changing the intake? Or can I tap into the existing sensor wires that are plugged in? Please help, already spent way to much on swap.

 

I'd suggest swapping to the correct intake and use the appropriate sensor. Check car-part.com, a local pick and pay salvage yard, Facebook Marketplace or your local Craigslist to find one. The intake shouldn't be hard to find. They were also used on Dakotas, Durangos, etc.

 

They both have the same threads, 1/8-27, screw the 97 temp sensor in see if it works. The 97 has a 1 wire sensor and the 99 has a 2 wire sensor.

 

Another option is to possibly use a tee fitting and run both sensors. You will likely need both to make the gauge and PCM happy for that year truck.

 

97 and older used two sensors. One wire for the Gauge in the dash, and two wire for the PCM. 97 and older needs BOTH for things to work properly. Easiest solution would be to drill and tap the manifold for another sensor. The boss for it is there, just, no hole.