Hello all ,just found this wonderful site. I have a 79 regal w/ t-tops (yes believe it or not) . The factory temp gauge is inop and was wondering if anyone knew if the sensor is a buick only part or can i get one at autozone?

 

Hello and welcome to the site! Remember the 79 Regal well. Had an 80 Century, just one of many Buicks. Still drive one now , a 90 Century. They are good cars.
A little puzzled by your request. The dash unit is definitely a dealer item. The temp sending unit should be available from an aftermarket store. Just think, no computer stuff to get concerned with that car. Hang on to it !!!

 

Thanks Hanky,
My first car was a 79 regal and i've had a 71 riviera ,a 77 regal,a 90 regal gs and a 07 rainier. It is safe to say im a buick man. As for my question ,the dash unit ,I think is fine i know i'd have a bear of a time finding one I was just worried about the sensor itself. The guy i bought the car from made like it was a big deal to find it thats why he didnt have it hooked up.Hopefully it was just laziness on his part.Although an aftermarket gauge set is probaly more accurate ,I am a stickler for keeping things as original as possible.

 

You should be able to locate a temp sending unit for that car. They probably were the same part for a couple of years until they changed with the sending unit becoming a coolant temp sensor with the introduction of the computer which I believe started in 1981. Even a temp sending unit for a 1980 should be the same as yours.