Two different temperature sensors... why?

[tcoradeschi]

No idea what the difference is, but why not just swap over the sensor from the original engine? It’s almost certainly a thermistor of some sort, lifetime is probably somewhere in the millions of heat cycles…

[elgyqc]

Originally Posted by tcoradeschi

No idea what the difference is, but why not just swap over the sensor from the original engine? It’s almost certainly a thermistor of some sort, lifetime is probably somewhere in the millions of heat cycles…

That was my intention, but the sensor from the original engine is 4-pin and the wiring harness connector on the replacement engine is 2-pin. I don't want to hack the wiring harness... and a new connector will likely cost as much as a 2-pin sensor ($15 for a non Porsche replacement). I'm just wondering if there is a important difference between the 2 parts.

[blue62]

Originally Posted by elgyqc

That was my intention, but the sensor from the original engine is 4-pin and the wiring harness connector on the replacement engine is 2-pin. I don't want to hack the wiring harness... and a new connector will likely cost as much as a 2-pin sensor ($15 for a non Porsche replacement). I'm just wondering if there is a important difference between the 2 parts.

look up a wiring schematic and trace the wiring of both types out.
That should give you an idea of the differences.

[elgyqc]

Originally Posted by blue62

look up a wiring schematic and trace the wiring of both types out.
That should give you an idea of the differences.

You want to make me work for an answer??!!

Good idea though...

[blue62]

Originally Posted by elgyqc

You want to make me work for an answer??!!

Good idea though...

Sometimes you have to put forth a little effort
A good schematic should show you whats what.
Being a German system figuring out some of the symbols and notations can be a pain at times though.
Let us know what you find

[elgyqc]

Originally Posted by blue62

... Being a German system figuring out some of the symbols and notations can be a pain at times though.
Let us know what you find

I understand parts of the 928 wiring diagram... so I have a good start.
So from what I can see on the wiring diagram that I have for the Boxster is that the 4-pin connector is for 2000 and the 2-pin is for 2001, which is coincidently what my engines are... a 2000 and a 2001. I didn't follow all the connections, but there seem to be 2 sensors on the 2001 engine, the "temperature sensor engine" and "NTC water compartment" sensor, each with 2 connections. They are side by side on the wiring diagram. For the 2000 engine there is a single "double NTC cooling water motor temp" sensor with 4 connections.
Changing the connector on the wiring harness would likely not work. I hope that the ECU knows how to handle this, I will assume that it sees the 4 lines coming in as the same thing whether they come from one 4-pin connector or two 2-pin connectors.
Therefore, install the connector that fits the wiring harness on the engine. (duh... sometimes my brilliance blinds me