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Coolant temperature sensors are used by the fuel management system to detect the engine’s operating temperature. Depending on the sensor information, the control unit adapts the injection time and firing angle to the operating conditions. The sensor is a temperature sensor with a negative temperature coefficient.
What happens when coolant temperature sensor goes bad?
If the coolant temperature sensor malfunctions, it can transmit a false signal to the computer. And the response of the computer may unbalance the timing and fuel calculations. It is also common for a coolant temperature sensor to fail without warning and send permanently cold signals to the computer.
What are the symptoms of a bad temperature sensor?
Bad Coolant Temperature Sensor Symptoms Check Engine Light. Poor Mileage. Electrical Cooling Fans not coming on. Black Smoke from the Exhaust Pipe. Difficult Starting Condition. Engine Overheats. Poor Idling. Poor Engine performance.
Does the coolant temperature 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 temperature sensor cause car not to start?
The sensor will not cause a no start. It could cause a hard start and a rich or lean condition only.
How long can you drive with a bad coolant temperature sensor?
You can drive 1,000 to 2,000 miles with a failing engine coolant temperature sensor.
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.
Does coolant temp sensor affect AC?
The cooling of the air conditioner should not be affected by the engine cooling temperature. The A/C problem isn’t caused by the high coolant temperature.
How do you check a coolant 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.
What sensor turns on the radiator fan?
On most modern cars, the cooling fan is controlled by the Engine Control Unit (ECU) which gets a signal from the coolant temperature sensor. If it’s not working, the fan won’t turn on when it needs to, which means the engine might overheat.
What sensors can cause a car not to start?
A bad Crankshaft Position sensor is a common cause of no starts. The signal from this sensor goes to the PCM or ignition module that switches the ignition coil(s) on and off. If you have an RPM signal, a bad ignition module or PCM may not be switching the coil(s) on and off.
Can the temperature 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.
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.
Can a car run without a coolant temperature sensor?
If you unplug the sensor when the engine is cold the engine may run smoothly at first but as the engine warms up the a/f mix will become too rich and the engine will start misfiring and possibly stall.
How do I know if my sensor is working?
You can test the sensor in a dark area and then by moving your phone to an area with bright light. If screen illumination changes, that means light sensor is working.
What are temperature sensors?
A temperature sensor is a device that detects and measures hotness and coolness and converts it into an electrical signal.
Why does my car temperature go up when I stop?
If your car begins to overheat when idling, but the temperature gauge moves back down once you get going, it’s most likely due to a broken radiator fan. When the coolant goes to the radiator, it’s spread over a large surface area to cool it down. Airflow further cools it before it returns to the engine.
Where is my AC temperature sensor?
The thermostat sensor is located near the evaporator coils. These coils are inside your air conditioner unit. As the air is sucked through the return vents, the air passes by the sensor and the coils. As the air passes the sensor, it reads the temperature and compares that reading to the setting on your thermostat.
Why does my temperature gauge go up when my AC is on?
Air conditioning does not make cold air . It moves heat from inside the car to the condenser which sits in front of the radiator . This heat flows back into the radiator thereby reducing its ability to get rid of engine heat so engine temperature goes up . Your temperature gauge looks normal.
Can low coolant cause no AC?
Low coolant can influence how your car’s AC works. That’s because the coolant is what keeps your radiator and other internal parts of your A/C working correctly. If there isn’t enough fluid in the system, it will overheat and potentially fail to keep your car or truck at an ideal engine coolant temperature.
How much does it cost to replace 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. Taxes and fees aren’t included in the estimate.
