Hey everyone, so I’m pretty new to both this forum and being a Jeep owner. I recently got my hands on a 1979 CJ7 as a restoration project, and it’s been quite the adventure so far.
One of the issues I’ve encountered is that all the wires from the gauges seem to have been removed or cut, except for the oil pressure gauge. I’m hoping to get all the gauges working again eventually, starting with the temperature and fuel gauges. I’ve come across some helpful troubleshooting forums here, but I’ve got a basic question: Where exactly can I find the engine coolant temperature sensor on this engine?
I’ve spotted something that looks like it’s installed in the head, under the left side of the carb when you’re facing the engine from the front of the Jeep. It looks like a copper tube that’s been cut with diagonal cutters. Could this be what I’m looking for? There don’t seem to be any wires attached to anything else on the engine apart from the oil pressure unit.
Congratulations on your 1979 CJ7 restoration project! It sounds like an exciting journey you have embarked on. Personally, I decided to keep off from old units because of some issues here and there.
For the 1979 CJ7, the engine coolant temperature sensor is typically located on the driver’s side of the engine, at the back near the firewall. It’s often found on the top of the head next to the valve cover. You might see a 3/8 or 7/16 thread brass fitting sticking up out of the head with 1/8 inch bolt threads on it, which is where the coolant temp sensor wire goes. If the sensor is covered in mud and oil, it might be hard to recognize, so cleaning the area might help you identify it more easily.
Once you locate and clean the sensor area, you can proceed with wiring it to the gauge. If you encounter any further issues or need more detailed guidance, don’t hesitate to ask for help from your mechanic.
The sensor should have electrical wires attached to it, which connect to the gauge cluster inside the vehicle. If you don’t see any wires connected to the copper tube, it’s possible that the wiring has been removed or damaged.