What is a coolant temperature sensor and how does it work?
What is a Coolant Temperature Sensor and How Does It Work? 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.
Can a coolant sensor be replaced in a car?
Replacing a coolant temperature sensor is a simple process for anyone who is familiar with the components of an engine, and can be done right on your drive. The steps below demonstrate how to change a faulty coolant temperature sensor in your car. If playback doesn’t begin shortly, try restarting your device.
How can I tell if my coolant temperature sensor is bad?
To diagnose the coolant temperature sensor, you need a repair manual for your car model to find what measurement values you should expect from the coolant temperature sensor. Connect an OBD2 Scanner and look for related trouble codes. Check the live data to see the temperature from the sensor.
How does the cylinder head temperature sensor work?
Some cars use a cylinder head temperature or CHT sensor instead of, or in addition to the ECT sensor. The CHT sensor (see the photo) works the same way, but it measures the temperature of the cylinder head metal and is not immersed in coolant. This allows the CHT sensor to measure the temperature of the engine correctly even with loss of coolant.
What are the symptoms of a bad coolant sensor?
Common symptoms of a bad engine coolant sensors are overheating, hard starting conditions, poor idle, check engine light ON and the electric fans do not work properly. The easiest way is to read the trouble code memory and check the value from the sensor, to make sure it’s a possible value.
What does a bad coolant sensor do?
A failing coolant temperature sensor will prevent a vehicle’s engine from entering a closed loop. This will cause the vehicle to run rich meaning the engine’s fuel mixture will have a higher percentage of fuel to air which will result in diminished fuel economy.
Where is the cooling fan sensor located?
The coolant sensor is typically located near the thermostat housing in the intake manifold. On a few vehicles, the coolant sensor may be located in the cylinder head, or there may be two coolant sensors (one for each cylinder bank in a V6 or V8 engine) or one for the PCM and a second for the cooling fan.
Can a Coolan sensor cause over heating?
A coolant temperature sensor may not cause the engine to overheat on its own, but if your vehicle has an electric thermostat or water pump, it may cause it to malfunction. A faulty coolant temperature sensor can also trick you into believing that your car is overheating, which is not the case.