Can you drive with a faulty coolant sensor?

Can you drive with a faulty 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 vehicles coolant sensor is a critical component used by the engine management system. It directly effects, cooling and fueling of the engine and therefore effects how the engine performs.

When to replace the coolant temperature sensor on a Mazda 3?

This video describes the replacement of the coolant temperature sensor on a Mazda 3. In this case the vehicle is from model year 2006. The reason for this repair is the occurrence of the trouble code P0118 on the ODB-II port. After replacing the sensor the trouble code and the check engine light may not disappear immediately.

Where is the coolant temperature sensor located on a car?

The first item that needs to be completed after you compiled all of your tools and assets is to locate the coolant temperature sensor. In the image above, you can see that most coolant temperature sensors are located on the top, driver side of the engine. However, the location of this sensor may be different with your specific engine.

Can a bad coolant sensor cause a car to not start?

Some cars use the engine coolant temperature sensor to control the electric cooling fans. You have two separate temperature sensors for the fans, dashboard gauge, and engine management in most cars. However, if your car has a single sensor, a bad engine coolant temperature sensor may result in your fans won’t start at all.

What should coolant temp be when engine is hot?

With a good OBD2 code reader, you can also check the live data and the parameters of the CTS sensor. Check that the temperature value of the CTS is around 80-90c when the engine is hot. A lot of engine coolant temperature sensors have two wires and the sensor is controlled by Ohm.

Where is the coolant temperature sensor located on an engine?

The readings produced from the coolant temperature sensor are transmitted to the engine control unit, where they are utilized as data for regulating and maintaining the proper ignition time and the optimal fuel injection through the computerized approach. The engine coolant temperature sensor is usually located on the engine block or cylinder head.

Some cars use the engine coolant temperature sensor to control the electric cooling fans. You have two separate temperature sensors for the fans, dashboard gauge, and engine management in most cars. However, if your car has a single sensor, a bad engine coolant temperature sensor may result in your fans won’t start at all.

With a good OBD2 code reader, you can also check the live data and the parameters of the CTS sensor. Check that the temperature value of the CTS is around 80-90c when the engine is hot. A lot of engine coolant temperature sensors have two wires and the sensor is controlled by Ohm.

How much does it cost to replace a coolant temperature sensor?

Unscrew the ECT sensor in an anticlockwise direction, similar to how a spark plug is removed. Install the new sensor and reconnect the connector cable. The average replacement cost of the Coolant Temperature Sensor is between $100 and $220. The labour cost is between $40 and $140 while the part itself costs between $50 and $80.