1 wire sender / sensor grounding

[no1kicker]

I noticed a lot of senders have only 1 wire to hook up. I assume the threads are the ground when it's in the engine block. If I were to put a temp sender in between some rubber hoses, can I ground the sender to anywhere in the engine bay? I would get a 3 way connector with nipples on 2 ends for the hoses, and a threaded hole for the sender.

[SleeperRed90TGp]

For an independent gauge yes. Might not even need a 2 wire. water is a pretty good ground.

 

Some sensors use restistance to ground to produce the desired effect with the ECM while others(knock sensor for one) produce there own voltage.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Jud

[no1kicker]

Thanks. Maybe I can try to go without the ground wire and see if the gauge reads ok. I could easily add the ground wire later.

[no1kicker]

One more question:

 

Do I need a bushing kit with the sender? They are sold seperately, and it would be cool if I didn't need it.

[Guest TurboSedan]

convert to 4-wire heated O2 sensor while your're at it.

 

- sensor ground wire (to negative terminal on battery)

- heating wire (12V)

- sensor output (1-5V)

- another ground wire (to cylinder block or frame)

 

it would be really easy.

 

btw why do you want to do the CTS that way? the ECM uses its own sensor (on LIM below thermostat) and the gauge has it's own seperate CTS (on rear head below EGR)