On most cars, trucks and SUV's, the coolant level sensor will be located
on the passenger side
. It will be rectangular in shape and be located on the side of the radiator near the fill neck.
Where is the low coolant sensor located?
A typical configuration places the coolant sensor
inside the intake manifold
, but some manufacturers place the sensor inside the cylinder head. All sensors are situated so that one tip touches the engine coolant.
How do you test a coolant level sensor?
Connect a
ground wire
(1) to the battery negative terminal. Using a sharp probe (3) attached to the ground wire, ground the coolant sensor probe (2) as shown in the illustration. Make sure a good contact is made. With the key on and the engine off, observe the low coolant light for at least 15 seconds.
How do you know if your coolant sensor is bad?
Bad coolant temp sensor symptoms are
a change in the car's mileage
, an illuminating check engine, a cloud of black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, and warnings of engine overheating. Your vehicle's engine must stay within a specific temperature range to perform properly.
Can you drive with a bad coolant level sensor?
Can I drive with the low coolant level warning light on? The
safe answer is no
, especially if you don't know the cause and don't feel comfortable looking around under the hood. To prevent any major engine damage, call a mechanic and have it towed to the shop.
How do you change a coolant level sensor?
- Materials Needed. …
- Step 1: Prepare the vehicle. …
- Step 2: Lubricate rusty bolts. …
- Step 3: Remove the battery bracket. …
- Step 4: Remove the battery cables. …
- Step 5: Remove the battery.
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.
Can you clean a coolant level sensor?
#4 Re: How to clean Coolant Level Sensor?
no
. all unplugging it will do is shut off the “LOW COOLANT” light. #5 Re: How to clean Coolant Level Sensor?
Why is my coolant light on when its full?
Your coolant light will come on
when the sensor senses an incorrect change in the temperature in your system
. Typically the sensor, which monitors the coolant temperature, knows how to adjust to varying temperatures depending up the status of your car; running, warming up, or cold.
What happens when your coolant 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.
Can you run 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.
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 can u drive with low coolant?
If your car has a low coolant you can drive for some time. It really relies on the level of coolant. If it is low but it is above the minimum, you can drive your car
for a few days
. But if it is below the minimum, please do not even try to run your engine.
Can I just add coolant to my car?
If your engine is cold, the coolant level should be up to the cold fill line. … If the coolant level is low, add the correct coolant to the reservoir (not the radiator itself). You can use
diluted coolant by itself
, or a 50/50 mixture of concentrated coolant and distilled water.
How long can you run an engine without coolant?
However, if you absolutely must start your car without coolant, it can probably run for
about a minute
without too much risk of damage. You may be able to get away with as much as 5 minutes of running without coolant, depending on the engine, car model, and how hard you're asking the engine to work.
