Thread: Coolant Temperature Sensor

Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1 Coolant Temperature Sensor 
    GT Level Member Hurricane87's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Brevard County, FL
    Posts
    404
    Thanks (Received)
    2
    Likes (Received)
    7
    Dislikes (Received)
    11
    Chats
    2
    So, the temperature gauge bottoms out, and the DIC says "A/C off due to emgine temteratures," or some such. Having been though this with the Monte, where I broke the connector in the process of changing the #1 spark plug, I deduced it was the coolant temperature sensor, and replaced it. Start the car, still no temperature reading, same DIC message.

    Did I get a defective sensor, or could something else be wrong? The current connector seems just fine.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  2. #2 Re: Coolant Temperature Sensor 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    39,995
    Thanks (Received)
    63
    Likes (Received)
    166
    Dislikes (Received)
    5
    Chats
    243824
    does it say ambient temp maybe? if you got auto climate control and it shows out side temps, is it showing -32? if so the ambient temp sensor went bad. its up by the rad on the rad support.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
    Reply With Quote  
     

  3. #3 Re: Coolant Temperature Sensor 
    SE Level Member GTP Mark's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    31
    Thanks (Received)
    1
    Likes (Received)
    3
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Is it a aftermarket coolant temp sensor? When I had my 98 GTP I changed the sensor with a aftermarket one and it never read correctly. Swapped it out for a AC Delco one same day and it was good again. I believe the wire harness for it is just a short piece that can be unplugged at both ends and removed from the car. Take it off and remove the old factory wire loom/tape and check it out if you haven't already.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  4. #4 Re: Coolant Temperature Sensor 
    GT Level Member Hurricane87's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Brevard County, FL
    Posts
    404
    Thanks (Received)
    2
    Likes (Received)
    7
    Dislikes (Received)
    11
    Chats
    2
    It wasn't the ambient temperature sensor; that wouldn't cause the gauge to bottom out. The coolant sensor magically started working after four key cycles. Who's the genius who designed THAT system?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  5. #5 Re: Coolant Temperature Sensor 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    39,995
    Thanks (Received)
    63
    Likes (Received)
    166
    Dislikes (Received)
    5
    Chats
    243824
    new temp sensors are known to be junk, so either its bad already, or its little harness there is cooked up.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
    Reply With Quote  
     

  6. #6 Re: Coolant Temperature Sensor 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    W Spfld
    Posts
    26,833
    Thanks (Received)
    53
    Likes (Received)
    90
    Dislikes (Received)
    1
    Chats
    98246
    Or it was a bad connection and you got lucky that it moved the right way. It's worth looking at...
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
    Reply With Quote  
     

  7. #7 Re: Coolant Temperature Sensor 
    GT Level Member Hurricane87's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Brevard County, FL
    Posts
    404
    Thanks (Received)
    2
    Likes (Received)
    7
    Dislikes (Received)
    11
    Chats
    2
    Quote Originally Posted by Scottydoggs View Post
    new temp sensors are known to be junk, so either its bad already, or its little harness there is cooked up.
    If they're all junk, why does anyone replace them? I mean, I live in Florida and I'm married, so I have no choice, but why does anyone else?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  8. #8 Re: Coolant Temperature Sensor 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    39,995
    Thanks (Received)
    63
    Likes (Received)
    166
    Dislikes (Received)
    5
    Chats
    243824
    ive seen ppl here replace 2 in a row that were new and dead in the box. and you need that sensor, it controls the cooling fans and sends info to the dash temp gauge. its a two part sensor, one side to the pcm, other to the dash. why the dash will still read but fans quit, or vs versa.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
    Reply With Quote  
     

  9. #9 Re: Coolant Temperature Sensor 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Western PA
    Posts
    22
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Scottydoggs View Post
    ive seen ppl here replace 2 in a row that were new and dead in the box. and you need that sensor, it controls the cooling fans and sends info to the dash temp gauge. its a two part sensor, one side to the pcm, other to the dash. why the dash will still read but fans quit, or vs versa.

    So there are two signals produced within the sensor itself instead of being split off ? That could make it more tricky to troubleshoot should there be a problem. I recently suspected my CTS, but after troubleshooting, it seems to be OK. I don't have a heating problem, the dash temps appear normal, and the fans kick on at about the 3/4 mark on the dash. One thing that I can't explain is that when I disconnected the CTS, the fans immediately turned on. I read elsewhere on this forum that if the fans start after the CTS is disconnected, that indicates a bad CTS. Mine does that, but the cooling fans seem to be functioning normally.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  10. #10 Re: Coolant Temperature Sensor 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    39,995
    Thanks (Received)
    63
    Likes (Received)
    166
    Dislikes (Received)
    5
    Chats
    243824
    they default to on when unplugged, dont matter if the sensor is good or not.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
    Reply With Quote  
     

Similar Threads

  1. 02 coolant temperature sensor
    By RedBear70 in forum Introductions/Noob Questions
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 04-20-2017, 05:31 PM
  2. Changing the coolant temperature sensor
    By Jeremy05GTP in forum 3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67)(L32)
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 03-21-2017, 10:39 AM
  3. Replacing coolant temperature sensor
    By vertebrate in forum 3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67)(L32)
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 07-13-2013, 01:43 AM
  4. Installing the Coolant Temperature Sensor Problems
    By ZackN in forum 3.8L V6 Naturally Aspirated (L36)(L26)
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 03-18-2011, 04:39 PM
  5. Harness for coolant temperature sensor
    By Duffman in forum 3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67)(L32)
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 03-16-2011, 07:13 PM
Tags for this Thread

View Tag Cloud

Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •