Motorsport Auto

You can choose a Z-Car from your garage, or from the selections above, to filter the store or check part fitment.

Part #:11-3455

Price: $69.87

Availability:
Nissan has discontinued the Factory version of this sensor. We are searching our sources in Japan, and hope to have an option available soon. The costs will be a bit higher, we'll note everything on this page when all is known. The part included currently is a good quality aftermarket version that has been working well.

Includes:

(1) Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor

Description:
This sensor sends a temperature reading to the Fuel Computer for fuel adjustments. It is the 2-wire type sensor located in the passenger (right) side of the cylinder head, toward the rear (between spark plugs #5 & #6). Common symptoms of a bad CHTS include low/poor/rough idle, significant hesitation on acceleration, and either running too lean (not enough fuel) or too rich (too much fuel). Note that a corroded or damaged wire plug can cause the same symptoms due to poor connection to the sensor (see 11-3059 in Related Items for our upgraded replacement plug).

Note:
While common, this sensor is often incorrectly referred to as a "Coolant Temperature Sensor", both online and in local auto parts stores. It does not measure coolant temperatures though, and should never be installed anywhere other than the original location in the passenger (right) side of the cylinder head (this is a "blind" or dry port on P79, P90, P90A, and some other late non-Z L6 engines such as the L24E). See notes below for more details.

Sensor Type Note:
There are 2 different types of temperature sensors used on 280ZX models, depending on the year and cylinder head. Early model engines equipped with the N47 cylinder head used a single piece "wet" type sensor which is installed in the thermostat housing, is designed to measure fluid temperatures directly, and must be submerged in coolant to obtain accurate readings. Later model engines (P79 & P90/P90A heads) use a "dry" sensor that measures air temperature changes where it fits into the cylinder head (noted above), with the sensor "probe" being made of 2 pieces (the outer "shell" can rotate independent of the sensor itself). Each 280ZX engine will only use one of the two sensor types, which cannot be interchanged directly due to the difference in the way they function (the CHTS will not function correctly if mounted in coolant, and the Water Temperature Sensor will not read correctly if mounted in the cylinder head). If you are not sure which sensor type your ZX needs, please contact us prior to ordering.

Wire Plug Note:
Unlike the later 300ZX-Z31 models, there is no sub-harness that needs to be replaced with this sensor. The 2-wire plug should still be inspected for wear and corrosion when replacing this sensor though. If you have already inspected the existing plug and determined it is in excellent condition (no wear of any kind, fully flexible wiring, no cracking, etc.), you will most likely still need a replacement spring clip. While they can also be reused, these clips have a tendency to fly off across the garage when they are removed. See 11-3410 in Related Items.

Water Temperature Sender Note:
Battling an erratic temperature gauge? Looking for the single wire sender in the thermostat housing? This sensor does not send a signal to the Water Temperature Gauge in the dashboard; see 16-7110/16-7110ki in Related Items instead.

Model Guide:
Datsun 280ZX

Code Guide:
Datsun S130

Year Guide:
1980, 1981, 1982, 1983