QA

Quick Answer: Where Is Coolant Temperature Sensor

The CTS is normally towards the front of the engine, near the radiator or thermostat housing. Because it’s a small component and is often located lower down inside the engine bay, you may need to use a light or torch to find it.

Where is the coolant temperature sensor located?

The Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor can be located in a few places, depending on the vehicle and its manufacturer. It is most often located close to the thermostat of the cooling system or inside of it. The cooling system is located beneath the air intake pipe and behind the right cylinder.

How do you know if your coolant temperature sensor is bad?

If you notice more fluctuation in your engine temperature or it looks higher or lower than usual while you’re driving, it could be the engine coolant temperature sensor. In particular, if your engine doesn’t seem to be warming up as it typically does, you should have a mechanic take a look at your cooling system.

Can you drive with a bad coolant sensor?

It is possible to drive a vehicle with a faulty coolant temperature sensor as the management system defaults to a static reading. A vehicle’s coolant sensor is a critical component used by the engine management system. It directly affects, cooling and fueling of the engine and therefore affects how the engine performs.

How many coolant temperature sensors are in a car and where are they located?

There are two temperature sensors in some vehicles, one to send information from the engine system to the control unit and another from the control unit to the dashboard. The device follows the principle of dependence of potential difference in temperature.

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 bad coolant temp sensor cause no start?

The sensor will not cause a no start. It could cause a hard start and a rich or lean condition only.

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.

How long do coolant temp sensors last?

Often, the engine coolant temperature sensor must be replaced at about 100,000 miles. If you don’t properly maintain the engine cooling system, the sensor could fail much earlier.

Why is my engine coolant temperature light on?

When the coolant temperature warning light goes on, the engine is seriously overheated, which can be caused by overheating, lack of cooling water or a cooling system that is having trouble. At this point, you need to park your car in a safe area with shade (if it’s summer) to open the bonnet.

Why would the temperature gauge stop working?

The most common cause of faulty temperature readings is a broken coolant temperature sensor (CTS). The part, which is normally located near a vehicle’s thermostat near the base of the radiator (consult your owner’s manual or repair guide) can get gunked up and fail. Disconnect the temperature sensor’s wiring connector.

Where is the outside temperature sensor located on a car?

Generally, the outside temperature sensor is located under the front of the hood near the bottom of the car. Although the sensor itself is accurate, the location causes the sensor to pick up heat from the road surface. Thus, it will usually read several degrees higher than the air temperature.

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 sensor would 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.

What are the temperature sensors?

A temperature sensor is an electronic device that measures the temperature of its environment and converts the input data into electronic data to record, monitor, or signal temperature changes. Among the contact temperature sensors are thermocouples and thermistors.

Can you replace temperature sensor?

Depending on the engine, you may have to remove part of the plastic air intake tubing. Locate the coolant temp sensor. It is usually near the thermostat housing but can be placed near any engine cooling passage. Insert the new sensor.

What should you do if the temperature warning light goes on?

If the temperature light goes on or if the gauge enters the red zone immediately pull off the road to a safe spot, well away from traffic, and stop the engine. Wait 20 minutes, start up the engine, and if the temperature light comes on, proceed directly to the nearest garage with a mechanic.

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.