How Do I Know If My Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Is Bad? - Fixanswer

It is possible to drive a vehicle with a faulty coolant temperature sensor

as the management system defaults to a static reading. A vehicle's coolant sensor is a critical component used by the engine management system. It directly affects, cooling and fueling of the engine and therefore affects how the engine performs.

How do you test a coolant temperature sensor?

Connect the black lead of the meter to the body of the cold sensor and the red to the terminal. You should have a reading of approximately 2000 ohms. Check the

warm sensor in your engine

. You should see a much lower reading on the ohm meter.

What does coolant temp sensor do?

A coolant temperature sensor (CTS) (also known as an ECT sensor or ECTS (engine coolant temperature sensor) is

used to measure the temperature of the coolant/antifreeze mix in the cooling system

, giving an indication of how much heat the engine is giving off.

What happens when coolant temperature sensor goes bad?

If the coolant temperature sensor goes bad it can

send a false signal to the computer and throw off the fuel and timing calculations

. It is not uncommon for the coolant temperature sensor to fail and send a permanently cold signal to the computer. … This will reduce fuel economy, and may hinder engine performance.

Does the coolant temp sensor control the fan?

The sensor works by

measuring the temperature

that's being given off by the thermostat and/or the coolant itself. The temperature is then sent to the on-board control system. … As the control system receives the temperature from the CTS, it may trigger the cooling fan to either shut off or turn on.

Can a bad coolant temp sensor cause rough idle?

HOW THE COOLANT SENSOR AFFECTS ENGINE OPERATION. … A faulty coolant sensor that always reads cold may cause the fuel control system to run rich, pollute and waste fuel. A

coolant sensor that always reads hot may

cause cold driveability problems such as stalling, hesitation and rough idle.

How much does it cost to replace coolant sensor?

The average price for an engine temperature sensor replacement is

between $150 and $193

. Labor costs are between $82 and $105 while parts are between $66 and $88.

What would cause a coolant sensor to go bad?

Many Check Engine light codes related to the (ECT) sensor; could also be caused by other reasons. Such as

a bad thermostat or issues with the cooling system

; including even a leaking head gasket.

Can you drive a car without a temperature sensor?

Most automobile mechanics will tell you it is not a good idea to drive your car without a

thermostat installed

. If your thermostat becomes stuck in the closed position, though, this will cause your engine to overheat and make driving your car impossible.

How long does a coolant temperature sensor last?

Often, the engine coolant temperature sensor must be replaced at

about 100,000 miles

. If you don't properly maintain the engine cooling system, the sensor could fail much earlier.

Can you clean a coolant temperature sensor?

In most cases, sensors for your automobile will need to be replaced if they fail, but depending on the type of sensor and its location or function,

some can be cleaned and reused

. Sensors can come in many types and are used for a variety of systems on modern cars.

How do you check if cooling fans are working?

Unplug the fan connector closest to the fan

. Make up some jumper cables. Then connect them directly, from the battery to the fan motor, to see if it spins. Consequently, if it does not spin it is blown.

What temperature should the radiator fan turn on?

Your radiator fan should kick in at

about 200 degrees Fahrenheit

. If you notice your vehicle is overheating or at the very least running hotter than it normally does, listen for the fan to see if you can hear it.

What are the symptoms of a faulty cooling fan switch?

The engine runs hot or overheats. …
The cooling fans don't work. …
The cooling fans keep running. …
Warning lights. …
Poor air conditioning performance. …
Swapping Relays. …
Measuring the Relay Coil's Resistance. …
Listening for Noises.

What are signs of a bad thermostat?

The temperature gauge reads high and the engine overheats.
The temperature changes erratically.
The vehicle's coolant leaks around the thermostat or under the vehicle.