Snapped 3.4L engine coolent temp sensor connector
 

'94 Camaro, 3.4L V6. While changing my headgasket, I managed to break pretty much all the plastic off my ECT sensor. The plug still sort-of stays on just from friction on the electrical connectors, but I'm concerned about it. I just removed the upper intake manifold to readjust valve lashing, so it's VERY easily accessible now, but the local parts shop is out of stock and I'm anxious to get reassembled to see if my car will run again.

How important is this sensor? Is it a nuisance it if should fall off, like, will I just get bogus readings on the dash and the radiator fan never shut off, or will the car not run right without it? It's $20 I really don't want to spend if I don't have to.

No ECT sensor, engine will run lean when cold, and rich when hot, thus making for a bad running engine. Fans won't go on when engine gets hot. All sensors are important, otherwise the factory wouldn't have installed them. But you can always try running without it and spend the $20 on gas.

Well, the actual contacts are fine and it's working for the time being and the connector seems to be stable- fan's coming on and going off at the right spot and the dash indicator is reading as expected, so it's working. I'm just concerned that without the plastic tang to hold it on, the connector will eventually work itself loose and fall off. If that happens, should be obvious, and I think I can live with the consequences until I can get the connector back on/get the ECT sensor replaced. Thanks!!

Tape it with electrical tape for a temporary fix. Replace the plastic connector when you get a chance. Until then, tape will do the job

ECT sensor is very important. It is *the* most important sensor at cold startup since the oxygen sensor signal is ignored until it heats up a bit. Definitely wrap some tape around the connection temporarily to maintain the connection.