Engine Temperature Switch

[EAM 17806]

I'm looking for an "Engine Temperature
Sending Switch" for a 1976 Cadillac De Ville, 500CU, 8.2Ltr. Carb  which is located in the right front of the engine on the block to the right side of the thermostat  looking at it from the driver's seat. Where can I get one? I have tried Cadillac dealers, Advance Auto, Autozone, etc.  There is another heat switch located on the left rear of the engine which gets confused with the one I'm looking for and they are not the same even though they appear to be alike.  EAM

[Dave Shepherd]

The one on the lt cyl head is a metal temp/switch/sender. you want the coolant temp sender. usapartssupply.com, shows one in the catalogue, page 73.

[R Schroeder]

Ebay seems to have a few. Watch out that you don't buy the one for Seville. It appears to be a different connection.
Roy

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=1976+cadillac+coolant+temperature+switch&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0&_nkw=1976+cadillac+coolant+temperature+switch&_sacat=0

[TJ Hopland]

He said block so its not the ones in the heads.  He also said to the right of the Tstat as seen from drivers seat,  the one Roy linked to is on the left.   I don't think all the 76's had that sensor so it may be hard to find, perhaps a CA or altitude option?  I thought it was an EFI thing.  You would have to see what it does and figure out if you can get something close. 

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Ev,
I believe I have one at home. I am in Virginia for this week and be back home next Tuesday. If you can wait please pm me.
Greg Surfas

[EAM 17806]

He said block so its not the ones in the heads.  He also said to the right of the Tstat as seen from drivers seat,  the one Roy linked to is on the left.   I don't think all the 76's had that sensor so it may be hard to find, perhaps a CA or altitude option?  I thought it was an EFI thing.  You would have to see what it does and figure out if you can get something close. 

TJ:  Thanks for the neat picture of an engine for illustration purposes, but that isn't where the location for the temperature switch for the dash light is nor is the location for the engine temperature sending switch  on a 76 Coupe de Ville, 8.2ltr, carb is. I found a new Ac Delco sending switch from  US PARTS SUPPLY which should be the correct one, I hope!  Thanks for your assistance and information TJ.  EAM

[TJ Hopland]

There is yet another sensor and another location?    I thought the only place for the dash light has always been the top center one which ends up buried under the AC compressor, those are the ones Brian linked to.   Earlier the light was labeled 'water' but seems like they changed that at some point to maybe something like 'coolant temp'.   I was thinking the one on the right side was a vacuum switch as was typically  the one to the left under the distributor.   The other two temp switches are mounted into the corners of the heads.  These look like about a 5/8" nut with a single tab terminal.   One behind the alternator, this one trips at 120F and tells the heater blower to turn on in some modes.    There is then an identical looking sensor in the left head which would put it next to the brake booster.   This one is for the 'engine temp' light that trips at varying temps over the years ranging from around 250F to about 375F.   I think in later years this light got labeled 'stop engine temp' or something to that effect.    Obviously if you got those sensors mixed up things would not work right.    On earlier cars that warning light was tied to the buzzer which also got tangled into the key in circuit and the seat belts.  Not sure if they cleaned that up by 76 or not.  73 it was quite a tangled web.