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Thread: Problem plugging in coolant temp sensor for electric fan.??!?

  1. #1
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    Problem plugging in coolant temp sensor for electric fan.??!?

    I recently did an engine swap and I am trying to reuse the stock fan on my 97 M3 E36, but the smallest of problems seems to be occurring. I removed the sensor from the old radiator and tried to plug it into the body wiring harness, however the plug will not go down far enough to "click" and stay on the sensor. I'm pretty sure I have the correct plug and sensor, they are both 3 pin and shaped correctly, has anyone else had this problem? I even cut one off another BMW in the junkyard to test and it also will not click onto the sensor. I'm stumped ?!?!

    Last edited by svt4me; 09-08-2014 at 06:46 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    you talking about 61 31 8 363 677 ?

    if so, I had a bunch of coolant crust built up in mine.
    Last edited by rob22sf; 09-08-2014 at 08:12 PM.
    "Racing is life, anything that happens before or after is just waiting" -Steve McQueen

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  3. #3
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    Yes, the auxiliary fan temp sensor.

  4. #4
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    Sometimes tolerances just don't match up .. one is on the high end, one is on the low and they don't fit. I'd trim the tab on the sensor for the plug to fit over it and hold.

    That or do what I did on my old e36 when I had a similar issue (my plug was half broken): push it on as far as it goes and wrap the two with electrical tape to keep them from coming apart.

  5. #5
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    Yah but was fitting just fine when I took it off, I will sand the sensor side down and try again.

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    You may have the lower temp 318i switch that does not fit unless you trim a tab but then it does not click. A hose clamp might hold it. Or you could salvage the right harness end and splice it in. Not sure whether your switch or harness tab was modified.

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    I always put bearing geese on the seal and it slides in no problem. If I don't it's a bear to insert. Bearing grease is something that I have quick access to so another lube would work fine.
    2006 X5 L83 5.3 6l80 swapped in progress
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  8. #8
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    I'll try the grease thank you

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