The ECT sensor is located in
the left of the cylinder head
and is connected to the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Underneath the air intake pipe and behind the right cylinder head is where the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor is located.
What happens when the 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.
How do I know if my coolant temperature sensor is bad?
- Poor Fuel Economy. …
- Irregular Temperature Readings. …
- Black Smoke from Your Exhaust. …
- Your Engine is Overheating. …
- Your Check Engine Light is On.
How do you change a coolant temperature sensor?
- With the engine and coolant entirely cooled down, disconnect the battery. …
- Remove any plastic engine covers. …
- Locate the coolant temp sensor. …
- Partially drain the cooling system, or perform a coolant flush, if it is due. …
- Disconnect the electrical connector from the sensor by pushing on the tab and pulling the connector.
Can you drive a car with a bad coolant temperature sensor?
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 much does it cost to replace a coolant temperature 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.
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.
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.
Do you have to drain coolant before replacing coolant temperature sensor?
Open the radiator valve and drain about two to three quarts of coolant. You only need to remove enough to drop the level below the sensor. Then
close the drain valve
. This will minimize coolant waste when you remove the sensor.
Does the coolant temperature sensor do?
The Coolant Temperature sensor
changes resistance with the temperature
. The Coolant Temperature sensor is critical to many PCM functions such as fuel injection, ignition timing, variable valve timing, and transmission shifting.
What causes coolant temperature sensor failure?
The engine may run in fail-safe mode:
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 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 do you check a temperature sensor?
Gently lower the end of the sensor into the water until the entire device is fully submerged
. Wait a minute or so for the screen to give you a reading of the cold water. Once you have a reading, write down the measurement for reference. A common reading for a temperature sensor in cold water is around 5 volts.
How long does it take to replace a coolant sensor?
The actual process of replacing the coolant temperature sensor is extremely simple. However, the difficult work comes in the preparation of the cooling system – both before and after. Tip: This job should only be completed when the engine is cold and has not been running for
a minimum of one hour
.
How much does it cost to replace car thermostat?
The cost of getting a thermostat replaced in a car is
about $200 to $300 on average
. Of course, this will also greatly depend on the make, model, and year of the vehicle that you're driving.
