engine coolant temp sensor/sending unit question

ok so i watched this video about the temp sensor that controls the gauge on the instrument cluster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHlsDU-crzU

i found the sensor and there is no wire going to it (explaining why my temperature gauge on the cluster doesnt work). i bought a replacement from autozone but it was the wrong sensor(my mistake), probably the one that goes on the front of the engine(19mm). This one is supposed to be a 12mm. where is the wire that connects to this sensor supposed to come from? Is it the one in the picture right next to the sensor?? What kind of connector should I be looking for?? I can’t find a part with a similar connector attached to the brass. any help or confirmation is appreciated.

 

You have a SENDER and a SENSOR

The one at the rear is just a sender and personally I think it's useless. It tells the needle on your gauge what way to move.

The sensor is at the front of the engine where your fuel rail crosses over. This communicates with the onboard computer to tell it what your actual coolant temperature is. This information is directly related to how your vehicle runs IE open loop, closed loop, etc.

If you wish to monitor your actual temperatures, just run a monitoring tool via OBD as it pulls the information your onboard computer receives.

 

so im reading that a 02 tacoma uses the 9141 protocol. ultragauge is about 90$ and there are hardly any cheaper ones on Amazon that are compatible with the 9141 protocol. i could use a simple scanner while the engine was running probably, but that doesnt seem practical while driving. the ultragauge or scangauge would be nice though. i still think connecting my cluster to the sender would be a good idea (and cheaper) until im ready to spend 90$+. ive looked at a repair manual with a wiring diagram but i cant make sense of it. not enough brain cells left. can anyone with a working temperature gauge get a pic of their 3.4 engine from the same angle so i can confirm where the hell the wire is that i should be looking for??

 

Both can be seen in the link below.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/coolant-temp-sender-title-updated-is-giving-me-guff.726671/

 

ok even in that thread, and another thread ive found, the sender has a single pin coming out of it. mine has a gray connector on it. but it seems the white connector in my picture is infact the connector that controls the gauge needle. so i need a sensor with the blade connector coming out of it?? kwikvette's suggestion might be the best route actually if that gauge isnt an accurate indicator anyway.. just dont like to have things on my cluster not working might just bite the bullet and get a scangauge

 

respect to all you guys who dig up old threads for us dumb folk. half the time i dont know what words to use in the search bar to find what i need. you're doing god's work..

i ordered a genuine toyota sensor on ebay and i will look into the ultragauge or scangauge soon for more accurate readings. my guess is the previous owner ordered the wrong sender and put it in anyway. thanks guys

 

It looks like the wire was pulled off your temperature gauge sending unit which broke the plastic.

Looking straight down is there not a spade connector on top of the sending unit?

That sending unit just has a spade connector in top that at one time that plastic piece on top was part of the harness In my 2000 the wire is Yellow /red stripe The sender grounds into the engine.

That plug on the sending unit tells me we are dealing with the 4 cylinder engine.

 

sorry i double posted but i suspect the previous owner bought the sending unit for a 4cyl engine and when they found out it didnt fit, just left it unplugged. the correct part should have a spade connector that plugs into that white connector im pretty sure.

 

The year vehicle you have makes a difference . As vendors change.

yours is the 3.4 as well?? In 2000 the white plug you have would be gray.

Good luck!

 

I think the spade connector somehow broke off the old sending unit. That is definitely the plug for it coming out of the wiring loom. It all looks pretty corroded... Good luck getting it out of there!