This may sound like a dump question but anyways. On a 1986 ford mustang 2.3L auto where are the temp. sensors located and what do they look like?

 

Well depends, what sensor exactly are you talking about? The temperature sending unit for the guage in the dash, the cooling fan switch (sensor) if your car has an electric fan, or the Temp sensor that controls the smog stuff?

The temp sensor for smog is usually on or near the thermostat housing where your upper radiator hose is attached to the engine.
The Radiator fan swich may also be here or it may be in the radiator itself at the bottom
The Temp guage switch may also be stuck on the thermostat housing or radiator.

 

Well, im looking for the temp. sensor for the guage. I found it today and just realized it not hooked up. I looked all over my engine for the wire to hook it up but i cant seem to find it. The person that owned the car before me really had the engine's electral wires screwed with. The only way for me to find the wire is to strip off the dash and follow the wire to see where it goes but anyways. Thanks for the help

 

Chances are it's 'lost' somewhere in the wiring harness of the engine bay. It's a good idea to pick up a $15 hayes manual for your car at the local auto parts store and find out what color that wire is. It will be so much easier to locate it then.

You don't want to have to tear out the dash in your car. THAT is a pain.

BTW if you do decide to take out the dash, you may as well replace the heater core under the dash too. You normally have ot remove the dash to do the heater core and if it's already out, spend the extra cash and take care of it then vs later. Just a thought.