Here's the deal, I've got a 1982 280zx that will only start with a cold sensor hooked up. It will only start warm when I plug in an extra sensor I have that's not warm. (Not inserted in the engine) It will also not rev past 2500-3k and backfires out the intake. It will only rev up and run good with the sensor harness unhooked. Neither sensor inserted will fix it.

Thoughts?

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

Pick yourself up a free factory service manual at XenonS130 - S130 Reference. Lots of other docs there to help you. Check out the FSM for its great inspection and troubleshooting pages. Easy to understand and follow.

Our 280ZX pros will have some input for you, too, I am sure. Keep that great Z on the road while you're at it! Post some pics, too.

Thanks and welcome.

 

How many wires should be going to the throttle valve switch? There's 2 on the harness but 3 prongs on the sensor.

Thanks for the welcome and manuals! I'll have to get aroun to posting u some pics soon.

 

Runs like a scalded ape with both the coolant sensor and tps unhooked. With just the tps unhooked it wont make power until 3k. With both hooks up it backfires out the intake and won't rev past 2500-3k. I'm thinking tps is the issue.

 

I'm guessing what you are talking about is the chts a two wire sensor into the block around #5 plug. It is a two wire unit. the coolant temp sensor is a single wire unit and has no bearing on the engine running. Confusion arises because the early s30 and early s130 actually used a sensor that measured coolant temp for the input to the ecu. You often find it listed (like NAPA) as a coolant sensor the key is the wiring. Ecu needs current out and current return to sense temp. gage just sends out current thru the gage and resistance of the sensor then determines where the gage reads.

You are talking about a cheap part easy to replace why not get a good one and install it. download the fsm from xenon I believe there is a temp chart vs resistance to test the chts with but i wouldn't trust testing found a couple that seemed good but weren't because you need to check the resistance over the whole range of temperatures. My time worth more than that when the chts is like 20 buck.

 

Hi guys,
Total newbie on this scene. I saw this thread about the same issue I have had for the last week. Where can I get a CHTS (I also think my time, or the mechanics time, more valuable than a 20 bucks part...) ?

 

Aftermarket replacement CHTS (cylinder head temp sensor, old codger!) available at auto parts chain stores - but they probably call it something else and will sell you the wrong part first time. Best to take the old one with you and show them. It may be called 'coolant temp sensor' or some such. No two auto parts chains are the same. Tell them to show you the pic on their little computer screen before you order.

May be available OEM (original equipment manufac'r) from a Nissan dealer/parts operation near you. Give that a try. Get the part number from the Xenon parts fiche for your year, if available - or take the old part with you. Your call.

 

NAPA had them a year ago. ask for coolant temp sensor and if it is a two wire unit that is the one you want. same connector as fuel inj. check the connector for damage and maybe ohm the wires out back to the ecu.

 

Thanks. That will help a lot I'm sure

 

Here's a picture:

 

I bought this one recently for my 82. 280ZX Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor 1979 1983 Genuine Nissan | eBay

 

Now I know what you're talking about, without out having to look up every abbreviation.


Old Codger