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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.
How long does it take to change a temperature 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.
Where is my temperature sensor located?
Most of the time it is close to the thermostat of the cooling system, or in some cases even inside of it. Note: Some engines may actually have a pair of sensors—one sending information from the engine to the control unit, the other sending information from the control unit to the dash.
What are the symptoms of a faulty temperature sensor?
What Signs May Signal Your Coolant Temperature Sensor May Be Failing? Poor Fuel Economy. Irregular Temperature Readings. Black Smoke from Your Exhaust. Your Engine is Overheating. Your Check Engine Light is On.
Do you need to drain coolant to change 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.
What happens if I unplug coolant temperature sensor?
What Happens If You Unplug The Coolant Temp Sensor? Unplugging the engine coolant sensor while the car is running will likely cause the engine to stumble and run rough. The engine light may not come on imminently, but a DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) will be logged in the PCM.
How much does it cost to replace a 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.
Can a coolant temperature sensor be cleaned?
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.
What are three ways that temperature sensors can be tested?
Physically inspect sensor for damage. Check temperature transmitter. Test faulty thermocouple with a multimeter. Test faulty resistance thermometer with a multimeter.
How do I know if my temperature sensor is working?
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 many temperature sensors does a car have?
There are two temperature sensors in some vehicles, one to send information from the engine system to the control unit and another from the control unit to the dashboard. The device follows the principle of dependence of potential difference in temperature.
Where is the CTS sensor located?
It is most often located close to the thermostat of the cooling system or inside of it. The cooling system is located beneath the air intake pipe and behind the right cylinder.
Can you bypass a temperature sensor?
You can bypass it with a regular resistor, but you have to know the value associated with the thermister. To find the value: -Disconnect the thermister, and apply a meter to it and read initial resistance value.
What happens when engine temperature sensor goes bad?
If the coolant temperature sensor malfunctions, it could cause your car engine to get overheated. While sometimes a faulty sensor sends a permanent cold signal to the engine, it can also send a permanent hot signal. When this happens, the car might misfire, or it could lead to engine knocking.
Can a bad temp sensor cause stalling?
The signal from the coolant temperature sensor tells the engine’s computer when to apply extra gasoline during a cold start. A faulty sensor can confuse the computer, keeping it from providing enough fuel. As a result, the engine may hesitate or stall.
Why is my car reading hot but not overheating?
This problem can be due to a low coolant level in the radiator, a faulty thermostat, a bad radiator, a damaged head gasket, a faulty water pump, or it might just be a bad temperature sensor or gauge giving a false reading.
How long do coolant temp sensors 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.
Will a temp sensor keep car from starting?
The sensor will not cause a no start. It could cause a hard start and a rich or lean condition only.
Can a temp sensor affect engine starting?
If the sensor is reading too high of temperature when compared to the ambient air temperature sensor when first started then the computer would see it as a problem and turn on the check engine light to use a known good reading. No start will not be caused by the sensor.
Why do temperature sensors fail?
Temperature sensor failures are common in cold applications when standard sensors are used. Why? Because the seals of most sensors are not designed to withstand the severe material contraction that occurs at low temperatures. Once inside, this moisture leads to inaccurate readings and, ultimately, sensor failure.
