First, disconnect the battery and clean the top of the sensor with some sandpaper or a wire brush. This will remove any corrosion that has built up on the surface. Be careful not to damage the sensor’s electrical contacts or you won’t be able to use it again. Once it’s clean, wipe off any remaining residue and reconnect the battery. With the engine running, test to see if the gauge moves when you hold the sensor close to your ear. If it doesn’t, there may be a short or a bad connection in the wiring between the sensor and gauge. If it does, your problem is most likely that the sensor is faulty or has a dirty terminal. At this point, you’ll have to replace it with a new sensor (or get someone who’s familiar with electronics to have a look at it). Either way, once that’s done, you should be good as new.
Is there a fuse for coolant temperature sensor?
None of the above choices apply. If the temperature sensor is providing a variable “resistance to ground,” which the temperature gauge in the dash is displaying, then the instrument cluster is receiving voltage.
Why is my car reading the wrong temperature?
A 10-20 degree discrepancy can exist between the temperature of the air and the temperature of your car on a hot summer day. The reason for this is that your car is monitoring the heat reflected off the pavement. On days with a lot of sunshine, you’ll notice a high temperature reading.
Can you clean a coolant temperature sensor?
If your car’s sensors fail, you’ll most likely need to replace them. However, some sensors can be cleaned and reused depending on the type and location of the sensor.
How do I know if my sensor is working?
Connect the DVOM probes to either of the sensor’s leads. Compare the Ohm or resistance values to the manufacturer’s. The sensor is faulty if they do not match. This indicates that there is an open circuit within the sensor because the resistance is infinite.
What type of signal is given by engine coolant temperature sensor?
Coolant temperature is monitored by a two-wire thermistor submerged in it. When calculating the ignition advance and injection duration, the onboard computer incorporates the ECT signal as a primary correction factor.
Why is my temperature gauge stuck on hot?
There may be a problem with a vehicle’s temperature gauge if it shows a high reading, but it’s not actually hot in any way. After overheating the engine, the gauge’s needle may be stuck in the hot range, or a stepper gear in the gauge may have been damaged.
What sensor controls the temperature gauge?
If the engine is running hotter than normal, the computer will be able to tell. However, in some vehicles, the engine coolant sending unit, or temperature switch, controls the temperature gauge on your dashboard instead of the ECT sensor.