2.8 coolant temp sensor ?

[Boosted LS1]

Does anybody know the part number for a 2.8 sensor? I mean the sensor which supplies the temperature guage. Also, does it have a green band on it as opposed to the more common black banded varieties? Thanks.

[bigtalljim]

I have the same problem. Changed mine a year ago thinking they all the same. My guage reads high now. It shows 120 when it is only 90! So I was thinking about getting a proper one or fitting a resistor inline to bring reading back to normal

[Boosted LS1]

^ Yep, this is exactly what I get even when the thermostat is just opening. There are certainly different sensors. Local shop said the 2.8 item was the same as a diesel escort but I tried one of those guages and still got a high reading. I'm also told a capri 2.8i has a sensore with a green band so that may be what I need.

[bigtalljim]

Apparently there are 4 types (colours) red, green, white and blue! Nothing like easy to choose.
But if the capri one 1 was green it may be worth a try. The only trouble is the guages used on the TVR and Capri will be different. By that I mean the resistance at a given temp will deflect the needle a certain amount. The sensor providing the correct resistance throughout the temp range. It may be a case of suck it and see.
I am still trying to find a variable resistor to put inline so I can adjust the guage to read right.

[Barkychoc]

Can someone whose gauge is working OK look at their sensor and post the colour - would that help??

[james280779]

Ok, I have sent an email to Greymrj as he now owns the original engine, If he can have a look and tell us what colour it is then that should help.

[Boosted LS1]

I found the solution. Neil at TVR car parts supplies a variable resistor which you solder in series between the sensor and the guage. The needle sits at about 95/100 degrees as supplied but I trimmed it to 90 degrees once the thermostat had opened. Easy to use.

With hindsight I suspect that some 24v engine looms may not have a resistor in them while others may? I can't see any other reason for the anomoly as I've tried a number of sensors including the correct one.