Thread: Driving with the ECT Sensor Disconnected

I have been driving for about 2 week with the ECT sensor Disconnected because it woulda fried the PCM if I plugged it in. I also havent had the time or money to replace it after spending over $1200 on Gasket & Trans work. I am getting it replaced this week, but will I be fine when I finally replace it. I know it sound like a dumb question to some of you, but don't bash me on this lol, I couldn't find anything in the search forum.

The problem I have been having:

Coolant fans stays on
Runs Uber Rich
High Idle
Hesitation on a take off
Hard to start after immediate shut off
TCC acting a little strange
MPG decrease a little

There are quite a few tables in the pcm that run off of the ECT, some of them being AFR. No ECT would definitely cause all of those problems...

how is it gonna fry your pcm if you plug it in?

Originally Posted by FoSHO99

There are quite a few tables in the pcm that run off of the ECT, some of them being AFR. No ECT would definitely cause all of those problems...

Yea that what I thought, I read up on it & I didn't know this sensor control everything because if it shows no tempature everything wont run right.

Originally Posted by Rather B Blown

how is it gonna fry your pcm if you plug it in?

Well I looked at the ECT Sensor to try to see if I could connect it, but It looked like the black cover was missing off the tip of the sensor & all I saw was 3 long prongs. So I said F*ck it, I didn't wanna short the PCM out until it was time for me to upgrade it. The mechanic was a great guy & had cheap prices (He's also an ex GTP tuner), but IMO I think he probably broke it when he was replacing the LIM Gaskets. He said he would replace it for $40 total with the sensor, but he like an hour from me & I dont have the time to go out that far.



Can anybody give me instruction on how to replace this sensor myself, I would great appreciate it

Originally Posted by FlaminWhite97GTP

Well I looked at the ECT Sensor to try to see if I could connect it, but It looked like the black cover was missing off the tip of the sensor & all I saw was 3 long prongs. So I said F*ck it, I didn't wanna short the PCM out until it was time for me to upgrade it. The mechanic was a great guy & had cheap prices (He's also an ex GTP tuner), but IMO I think he probably broke it when he was replacing the LIM Gaskets. He said he would replace it for $40 total with the sensor, but he like an hour from me & I dont have the time to go out that far.



Can anybody give me instruction on how to replace this sensor myself, I would great appreciate it

If he just got done doing the LIM gaskets, then yes, I would say he broke it. It is not necessary to take the sensor out to change the gaskets. But if you are not careful when you remove the LIM, you can easily break the sensor. So I would put my money on him breaking it.

But changing it is very easy. Buy the sensor. Put a little thread sealant on the new sensor. Remove the old one. Put in the new one quick. You shouldn't loose too much coolant, but check it and fill if necessary after a couple days.

Originally Posted by Zef_66

If he just got done doing the LIM gaskets, then yes, I would say he broke it. It is not necessary to take the sensor out to change the gaskets. But if you are not careful when you remove the LIM, you can easily break the sensor. So I would put my money on him breaking it.

But changing it is very easy. Buy the sensor. Put a little thread sealant on the new sensor. Remove the old one. Put in the new one quick. You shouldn't loose too much coolant, but check it and fill if necessary after a couple days.

Ok I just bought the sensor today. I see where the old sensor is, but it looks to be in a cramped spot at a wierd angle. Zef do you know the quickest & easiest way to get to the sensor & what tools to use.

19mm wrench would probably work the best.

Also the only thing probably not connected to the ect would be the tcc.

aww ok, that probably just me being paranoid over this new trans, it shifts great.Ok so 19mm socket, but what should I remove to get to it. because it looks crammed & complicated to get to it

Originally Posted by FlaminWhite97GTP

I
Hesitation on a take off
Hard to start after immediate shut off

My car does these sometimes, but my hesitation is more like I give my car gas, and it will just take off a second later like something isn't reading right.?

If I was changing out mine, I would remove the upper coolant hose from the thermostat housing. First drain some cooling off into a clean container using the petcock. Then remove hose from thermostat hosing only, I would a wrench instead of a socket to loosen/remove the ect. Use either a thread sealant or teflon tape on the ect threads and install. Reconnect upper hose to thermostat neck. Top up coolant level in radiator and overflow if needed.