1998 Olds Intrigue, disconnected coolant sensor/dangerous?

[jly]

my car was overheating and the fans were not working so I had it looked at and found that there was a short in the wiring to the coolant sensor so he disconnected the wiring and the fans came on. he said it was safe to drive the car until fixed. After driving it the first time I found a little water leaking from cap even though car was not hot so replaced the cap and its find. My question is what are the dangers if any in driving with the sensor disconnected? How long?
thanks,
Have a blessed day
jly

[carriedi]

having the coolant sensor disabled will mean that your engine computer sees the temperature as -40 degrees F. That means it thinks that it's freezing cold out there and will dump gas just as closing the choke on a carburetor would do. On warm days it could make it so the engine will not start because it gets too much gas and floods the engine. But it will always run rich if it doesn't know that it's actually warmer than -40F.

[jly]

thank you so very much. I tried to tell him that the sensor was related and could cause problems with the fuel injection system but he did not agree. since I typed to you I tried to bleed the line but someone before me had damaged the brass screw. Do you know a fix that I can do?
We have been in the eighties here and it is not starting the best.
have a blessed day and thanks a bunch again,
jly

[carriedi]

here's what the temp sensor circuit should be wired like

[jly]

how about the damaged brass screw so I can flush the radiator? I don't know how to get it out.

[carriedi]

if it's been a long time since it's been used, you're better off not using it. many times the petcock will be stuck and opening it may damage it. drain the radiator by taking off the lower hose from the radiator. Use a big drain pan.

[jly]

thanks so very much!

have a blessed day!

jly