I have a 54 oldsmobile and need to fix the temperature gauge. The mechanic is asking me to find a temperature sensor for the temp gauge. Is the sensor the same as a temp sending unit? Thanks for your help!

 

Sensors and/or senders put out a variable signal to operate a gauge, as opposed to a switch that opens/closes at a certain temp/pressure/etc to turn on a warning light. So yes, sensor/sender are different names for the same thing.

 

Just make sure you are sold a unit for gauges, not an idiot light.