What is this

1996 DODGE DAKOTA
201,000 MILES • 2.5L • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
Avatar
CRUISE5020
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
As I was repairing a busted radiator hose I replace both upper and lower thermostat housing water pump coolant temp on thermostat housing valve cover gasket as I was doing the valve cover gasket job I noticed that this is broken I placed it back together but I don't know what it does or if its needed. I know my radiator fan turns on but only if it's by the AC it does not come on automatically. So I did not put a thermostat back in but it means no heat on cold days. Does this control my fan.
Image (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Dec 15, 2019 at 3:32 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
DANNY L
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

I've circled your picture in red. Is this the broken component you speak of? Let me know and we'll go from there.Thanks for using 2CarPros.
Image (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Dec 15, 2019 at 5:19 PM
Avatar
CRUISE5020
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes it is.
Dec 16, 2019 at 4:00 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
DANNY L
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

That is your coolant temperature sensor. Having this not working properly if the harness/connection being bad and not having a thermostat installed will throw your trucks computer into chaos. Not having a thermostat installed will not let the coolant sit in the radiator to stay inside long enough to heat in the winter, or cool in the summer. I've attached a picture below of what a coolant temp sensor is from AutoZone. Can't tell from your picture if the wiring harness broke or the sensor plug connection broke.To hard to tell from the picture. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
Image (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Dec 17, 2019 at 5:09 AM