The Thunderbird was introduced as a personal luxury car by Ford Motor Company in 1955 and was produced until 2005, with a hiatus from 1998 to 2001. With proper maintenance, your Thunderbird can give you years of enjoyment, and knowing the location of key components can aid you in doing your own maintenance. The proper operation of your Thunderbird's engine depends on the engine's electronic control module receiving the correct temperature information from the temperature coolant sensor. Knowing the location of this sensor can save you a lot of trouble down the road.
Park your Thunderbird on a flat surface. Put the transmission in park and apply the parking brake. Let the engine cool if it has been running recently.
Pull the hood release handle from underneath the dashboard on the driver's side. Reach in the hood opening at the front of the car and push the hood release lever to the side. Raise the hood.
Locate the coolant outlet at the center of the top of the engine, at the front.
Locate the intake manifold behind the coolant outlet.
Check the front of the intake manifold for the sensor. Be aware that the coolant sensor will have a wiring harness connected to its uppermost side.
