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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 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 coolant 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can a bad coolant 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.
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.
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 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.
What sensors can stop a car from starting?
A crankshaft position sensor (crank sensor) is an important device measuring the engine RPM and tracing the crankshaft position. The car won’t start if the crankshaft position sensor doesn’t work properly. The crank sensor can fail, or its wiring can get damaged. This may cause the car to stall or not start.
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. Taxes and fees aren’t included in the estimate.
Why is my car reading the wrong outside temperature?
Most cars these days have 2 sensors: one inside and one outside. The sensor that measures outside temperature is typically up behind the bumper, which is near the hot asphalt and the engine. That’s why it reads a little higher that what the temperature actually is outside.
How do I know if my AC temperature sensor is bad?
You might notice that your air conditioner doesn’t turn off when the house reaches the set temperature if you have a faulty sensor, Your AC will just continue to blow cold air. The temperature may even become uncomfortably cold.
How do I reset my outside temperature sensor?
What you need to do is simply push the car’s AC button all while pushing the recirculate button at the same time. This may be enough to reset the car’s outside temperature sensor.
What can cause an engine to run hot?
Common reasons for overheating engines Too little or no coolant. Driving without proper levels of coolant/antifreeze may cause a coolant system failure. Cooling system leaks. A broken water pump. Radiator issues. Oil too low. Thermostat failure. Issues with the belts and hoses. Heater core is plugged up.
What are temperature sensors?
A temperature sensor is a device that detects and measures hotness and coolness and converts it into an electrical signal.
Does coolant temp sensor affect idle?
Can a bad coolant temp sensor cause rough idle? Yes, due to the false signal sent to the car computer, it will adjust the air-fuel mixture. The supplied mixture will not be enough and result in vibrations and shaking at idle or low-speed maneuvers and lead to other strange behavior and loss of engine power.
