Coolant Temperature Sensor

[ian187]

Thought I'd put this as an extra post to my "idling probs" post. Make it easier for people wanting to search!

I wanted to buy a coolant temperature sensor to resolve idling problems in my Chim. (need a Lucas part # SNB802 - note the old part number is 73355A which is whats printed on the side of the sensor)

I phoned a parts place and they ordered me the part, but in their wisdom ordered me a part from Commercial Ignition, using a cross reference guide gave me part number XEMS1 - which is suppossed to be their equivelant.

However when I came to fit it, its too big! I phone them back and after quite a while of them trying to make out I gave them the wrong part number they finally phone the technical department at Comercial Ignition and realise that its the cross reference guide thats wrong and they don't do an equivelant part at all! They are going to give me a full refund.

The reason for posting this is, I phoned a few other places and 2 others offered me the same wrong part! being as this seems a bit replaced regularly by TVR owners I thought I might save others a day p***ing about ordering and trying to fit a part that's never going to fit!

NB I've ordered a Lucas part now from Lucas servicing in Gloucester, hopefully that will fit - even better if it cures my idling problems!

[trefor]

When I changed mine a while ago the local Lucas centre had a look for a cheaper cross referenced part and could not find one so they obviously didn't have this (wrong) catalog.

I don't think the 8 quid or so for the Lucas part is going to break anyone's bank anyway.

FWIW - same goes for the fuel pump relays, just get the proper Lucas ones for 12 quid or so each (you need 2).

[ian187]

The independant places I phoned, said they don't deal with Lucas anymore - too expensive apparently!

But then the replacement "wrong" part was £19, the Lucas one £12 + carriage

NB Just to make you laugh, I actually went into Halfwits and asked them to order it for me - I know I should have known better!

"TVR! What make is that then?"
.....
"If its not on the system you can't order it!"
....
"Doesn't matter if you know the part number sir, Halfwits have never heard of your car"
.....
"I don't think we're a bunch of useless idiots sir, and my 'maxed' Nova 1.1 does look cool"

of course this is just my experience

[everitj]

It is a SNB802 however there are two different theads available. I had the same issue when I got one from a local partco.. Took it back and he changed it for the smaller thread..

[the dodger]

Where is this part located (on early pre-serp engine). I'll have a go at mine if I can get to it OK.

Appreciate quick e-mail through profile as not getting much time on PH lately - mucho thanko.

[edhorne]

Chaps

I recently replaced my coolant sensor with the Intermotor equivalent. Since then it wouldn't idle below 1200rpm. I tried everything including resetting the ECU, checking the stepper was working, checking the throttle pot voltage etc etc

I even tried bleeding the cooling system to make sure that the sensor was seeing the water so to speak.

I also made sure I let the engine run until the fans cut in.

No joy

Then I replaced the Intermotor part with the original Lucas one (original problem was something else) and all is well again.

I think shpub said that some of the pattern parts did not have the same resistance curve as the original.

Just my twopennysworth about SNB802

Cheers

Ed

PS If you search the archive there is a picture of where the sensor is located on a pre serp engine.

[verysideways]

I just swapped my standard 96o/91o item for a 88o/79o one.

I wanted to get an intermotor part, number 50120, but my local Camberley Auto Factors do an equivalent part which was a XEFS4.

This works perfectly, comes in much sooner so the car takes that much longer to get to 90 degrees (and above!).

Part cost £7.47 inc vat.

When i get back from Le Mans i will look into a radiator re-core (car has done 75k miles).

VS

[the dodger]

the dodger said:

Where is this part located (on early pre-serp engine). I'll have a go at mine if I can get to it OK. Appreciate quick e-mail through profile as not getting much time on PH lately - mucho thanko.

BTT

[spend]

Just to avoid confusion, I think Coolant temp sensor SNB802 is for the ECU (fuelling). Some others are referring to the Fan / Otter Switch which turns on the radiator Fans.

Chalk & Cheese!