Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Remove and Replace
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Saturn S-series Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Remove and
Disclaimer:
This video is not meant to be a definitive how to.Always consult a professional repair manual before starting your repair.I am not responsible for any problems that you might incur by watching or following this video.Follow at your own risk.
you don't know how you are really saving my ass in repair bills, I own a 1997 Saturn SL2 and mechanics are charging me crazy prices to fix it. Your videos are helping me out alot
Me too Rich! Your vids are the best!
Life saver!!!!
Tell me who is giving you good videos on fixing it Saturn
yes they do
hi, im from 14 years into the future. and i can assure the repair are now 15x what you were paying
Hey, I just wanted to thank you for all the videos you've put up. When I got my car (1998 Saturn SL1) I knew nothing about car repair. I've managed to make all my repairs myself thanks to your videos. You've saved me so much money, I just have to thank you. I needed to replace my ECTS, and of course, as soon as I searched it, you came up. Thank you for all of this.
Glad i could help.
Thanks richpin, ditto you saved me a lot
You've got the best video out here! Nobody showed EXACTLY where this is but you. The manual doesn't either. Thanks for your help, really appreciate you!
thanks a million for this, followed your instructions and did it all myself in 1 hour. The NAPA unit I bought for $23 had teflon tape already on the thread. I jacked the car up on the driver side about 4 inches and hardly any coolant came out. For others reading this , another indication the sensor is failing, other than hard cold starts, will be the temperature gauge only goes up to about 1/8 under normal driving. Thanks from our SL2, 290,000km on the clock
Great explanation. My ECTS was failing and I had idle problems and terrible gas mileage. Thanks to your video I replace and now my SL2 runs perfectly and gas mileage has returned to the 30's. I replaced the spark plugs and O2 sensor at the same time. Great video!
Thank you for the kind words.
My friend and mechanic who is about your age suggested I send you money : ) I think UA-cam is one of the greatest inventions. When someone else is willing to share their knowledge with tuturials and emails it's Great ! I plan on driving this 95 Saturn for awhile. I was going to scrap it out because it needed a new clutch pack. Then gas went crazy and I decided to fix it. Lots of new parts in the last month. Just turned 225000 miles today. Chat with you later. Thanks again RichPin !!
Why can't every mech video be this useful pointing, detailed description, steady camera and he did it all in less than 6 mins, thank you good sir.
Wow, thanks
Wow Mr Richpin your videos are so instructional and so perfect! It literally took me about 30 to 40 min from prep to being back on the road and I am no mechanic. The money that I saved I can provide food for one week for my family and also get better mpg now. Thank you so much again Mr. Richpin and God bless you!!!
finally, a repair man who just points to it instead of describing where it is.
Hi RichPin. I have been using your videos for a couple of months trying to find the problem of why my Saturn has been running at a high idle (IAC sensor, tps, thermostat, o2 sensors to name a few). This morning I did the ects and like magic the problem was solved.The old sensor had a crack in it. I am very thankful for people with knowledge such as your self. Please keep making great vidoes. You are a credit to the world! Thanks again
IT WORKED! Thank you SO much! Everyone was saying the starter is bad bc the car won't turn over but the lights still come on. One out of 10 people mentioned the sensor, cheaper choice, so my husband & I watched this vid & it worked like a charm. Thanks so much for taking the time to post this video!!
+A Williams Cool glad you got it fixed.
I wasn't sure of the location of the sensor, and your video made it very clear. Thanks for all the tips as well.
You're welcome!
Years ago my son knew nothing about cars { late 90's} so he just bought a junk car and practiced replacing everything on it, he would tear things apart on it and put it all back together, I believe this is a great way to start learning about how to do car repair. He would pull the gas tank off and take the fuel pump off, then put it back together, starter off then put it back ect. He's not a mechanic technically but now 20 years later he's pretty good at fixing most things that go wrong and everyone is always trying to get ahold of him when there cars tear up.
As I know SL's and had mine for over 7 yrs, I still refer to your vids including this one, on how to do something. Love that you tell me up front what tools and size I need. Takes the guesswork out of it. Took a whole 3 minutes to change my sensor. Thanks!
I just replaced the ECTS on my 1999 Saturn SC1. A pretty simple task compared to other parts I have replaced. Getting the clip off the old part was the hardest part. Also had to borrow a 13mm deep socket from a neighbor. Otherwise this was a quick and relatively painless task. Finally a project that I didn't have to climb under the car or jack up the car to access the part. Thank you richpin for all your instructional videos. You make it look so easy.
Great video. Good camera work and to the point narration. Now I will have no trouble this weekend replacing mine.
Sorry it's taken me so long to thank you for your many videos that have helped me fix many things on my 96 Saturn s series!!! I can't say Thank you enough!
rich you have saved me a ton of money,my inspection mecanhic dosent like you cause when i get my car inspected it needs the sticker,i love it!!! your the best!
babe ruth I am glad i could help.
Thanks for posting. My mechanic and I have been trying to diagnose why my wife's 2000 Sl1 keeps stalling over n over when she comes up the hill from Phoenix. It also is revving insanely high when you can get to drive home. But of course we get it home and it runs fine the next day and at the mechanic shop. Multiple mechanics have looked at this and finally I found this solution on a Bing search. You make it seem easy enough so I'm going to do it and save money. Thanks again.
I appreciate the videos! I always come to your channel when I need to know how to fix my Saturn!
Thanks, richpin! Once again, your easy to follow videos helped me fix my Saturn in no time at all!
Hey Rich just changed my ECTS. Runs perfect now. Idles at about 900 rpms was at 1100, reads accurate temp. on the gauge, was reading just a hair above cold all the time and best of all, it shifts into overdrive at highway speeds. Oh and it starts up normally. Did it just like you said my friend. Was really very simple. THANK YOU!!! Would have paid a mechanic much more than the 12 dollar part and the 13mm socket I bought.
Just wanted to say thanks - this video made it look easy, and it was as advertised. I was able to change the coolant temperature sensor on my 1994 SL2 in under 20 minutes start to finish, and I have now heard my cooling fan run for the first time in years. (I didn't realize my cooling system was having a problem until I moved to a warmer climate and started sitting in traffic more.)
I bet you are loving your new found fuel mileage now too.
Sure enough it was the connector. The sun was setting and I didn't see it before. I ended up using an old computer connector to fix it. Runs like a champ now. Thank you so much for your help and these videos!
As always, your videos are great at helping me keep my little Saturn on the road! Great job as always!
Glad you asked as i know a fair amount about them.If it is a Sl or SW open the right rear door and look at the door sill for rust.Next look closely at the subframe under the engine for rust.That is about the only two places they like to rust.Now if that 02 is a DOHC engine look closely at the plastic intake manifold for coolant leaks.
Important .
Rich, I've used your videos several times in the past. I just want to say thanks for putting these out there. They have been very helpful. Oh course the down side is I'm still driving an old Saturn as repairs have been cheap when I do them myself so I can't justify a new car even though it'd be nice.
I am glad i can help you keep the old saturn running.
Just did this simple replacement and it fixed my issues with starting up (difficulty starting/required pumping the gas, and then emitted lots of white smoke from the exhaust) immediately! And THANKS for specifying the socket size!
Excellent, just finished the CPS, car runs fine now! Thanks for the detailed videos, it made the job very easy for me.
Thanks for the video! I replaced the plastic OEM temp sensor (which was cracked) in my 2000 Saturn SW2 with a brass one by following these instructions. The temperature gauge works again! Warm idle is down about 400 RPM. I don't have to press the gas pedal to the floor for a hot start any more. When I put it in gear it no longer wants to stall out. Maybe I'll even get better gas mileage!
Thanks for this video! I tested the fan, it was good, tested the relay, it was good, now the sensor is probably my last component, i did not even know where it was located! Awesome!
Once again you've saved the day. :) So glad I didn't end up paying someone to do this.
I think your on the right track here, the coolant temp sensor and it's connector is the most common problem when it come to driveability issues on the s-series.The crank sensor in most cases when it goes bad will shut the engine down when hot then when it cools down the engine will be able to run again.
The light went as soon as the car cooled off(I guess) cuz that night I turned the car on and no engine light. I never drove that much again and I just replaced the part today about 2 weeks or so later, but I'm moving from OK to FL in july and don't want to worry about my car blowing up or something. Thank You so much in advance and I appreciate your videos. The ads are fun to click on too.
Thanks for that one, worked like a charm, worried about it at first, the check engine light came on, but just had to reset the computer by disconnecting the battery and letting the juice run out. Fired right up and idles really smoothly now.
richpin videos are the best! This is a righteous dude!
Thanks again Rich! Last month it was the starter. This month it's the sensor. (Not enough explanation of what a PITA!!! that rear starter bolt was though. Lol. I had to have my friend with the "tiny hands" set the ratchet up for me. Kept getting my arms stuck.)
But these really are informative and helpful. I'll probably have saved around $1k by the end of August.
Problem with cooling fan not engaging when car heated up. Replaced temp sensor and BAM ! did the trick. Now cooling fan didn't engage till just about 3/4 on gauge , was a bit worried, till it came on ... lol . Thanks Rich !
Thank you for this video, you saved me a whole lot of money and frustration.
Have you taken the throttle body off and done a good cleaning of it and the iac valve.
Great job. My 1996 saturn SC2 with only 70k miles on it had this problem. I also used your video to replace the shifter bushing as well. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for taking the time to make these videos.
They are extremely helpful and full of good info as well.
thank you once again Rich. Your videos are priceless for working on my saturn. Thanks so much
Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Really helped me out!
Thank Rich. I found your video pretty well explained. I had to replace ects on my Saturn SC1 and your video was great.
Thank
Thanks! Letting the car cool tonight and I will replace tomorrow.
Thanks for posting video, it really helped me locating mine, I have a Saturn and I've been having issues with other areas besides sensor but I love my car and am avoiding trying to resort on getting another car. I have about 200 thousand miles on it but it runs good, my family keeps telling me to just get another car but I know it'll be fine once sensor is replaced
Thanks for all your videos. I have used them to fix my Mom's '99 SW1 with new CPS and ECTS. Great vids and very informative. Saved me lots of headaches and F-bombs.
Amazing video! Just changed mine and the rough start and rough idle are gone! Thanks! Great videos. I’m doing the fuel filter tomrrroow!
Glad it helped
I love it....Glad you got it fixed......Happy motoring with your Saturn.
I'm going to pick up a new sensor today and give it a shot! Thanks!
just replaced mine richpin, keep the videos coming. great job.
thanks! it worked out, now i'm on to replace my cooling fan motor and to get a new seat, your awesome!
@dakotarazzle Common places for vacuum leaks are intake manifold and around the throttle body including the plastic line going to the purge solenoid.The computer does not need any time to adjust you just clear it after making your repairs.
Why do people thumb things like this video down? Geeze people...don't be a turd. This guy did this out of sheer kindness.
This helped a lot. Did it on my pontiac grand am, 13/16 deep socket with an rotating extender. Thanks alot
Thank you, it was really helpful i have to pass the emission test and have to replace this
@PianoSoulos It very well could.The coolant reading not being correct is one of the more common reasons why the monitors do not set.It is located in the same place as in this video on the end of the cylinder head.
I wish you were in Florida. I have a weird hesitation problem in my 95 s-series that doesn't throw any codes. I already put a new EGR, plugs, wires, coil, module, and changed the coolant temp like a year ago. It almost seems impossible to diagnose. It runs strong though otherwise, really strong.
P.S. Your videos have helped me learn so much about my saturns :)
So cool you got it fixed.
Any good 10w30 synthetic oil would be a good choice.If your SC is sluggish i might what to do a compression test to see how healthy the engine is.Don't forget to check the engine coolant temp sensor and it's connector if you have not already
Gret and helpful video. I hear you can jack up the right side of the car to lose less coolant, too. Just less to clean up.
First of all great video,and very useful. This is my problem I have saturn sc1 2001, with 89000 miles on it. I drive a total of 6 miles to work everyday 3going 3 coming back. The fuel pump was replaced a bout 3 months ago , the coolant was leaking and it was over heating (problem fixed). Now my car does not start unless i press the gas pedal and this morning my car shut off twice while i was idle at 2 traffic lights, it idles very weird like it's going to shut off. I called the saturn dealer
Thank you very much Rich... I should have specified it is just one click when first turning the key... still the same hunch?
You are the best bud! Thank you my car was idling like a psycho
Just got a new CTS and electrical cleaning because my car is smoking black out of the exhaust, temperature gauge is not registering, and tough idle. This all started after I tried to clean the MAF. You changed the connector as well? I just bought CRC Electric Cleaner, will spray and let it dry for maybe an hour and install the new one. 2004 Mercedes C320 by the way
The 02 had the updated brass one.Have you checked your air filter.
I tested for vacuum leaks a couple different times in different areas. Where are leaks common on Saturns ? I've changed plugs, wires, pcv and now the temp sensor in the last few weeks. Does the computer ever need time to adjust to changes ?Thanks for the help Rich !
On the TPS you can backprobe the wire back to the computer and see if the voltage changes from 0.50 volts at idle to 4.5 volts wide open.As for the IAC you take it out of the throttle body and check the pintle for carbon.
Great video, I've been idling high intermittently while in park and neutral so I'm going to give this a shot.
I checked it, there was no corrosion. I went back to the parts store and got a replacement sensor. I will change it this weekend to see if that was the problem. Also, I was going to change the fuel filter, but the bolts are too tight and I am afraid of breaking them...taking it to be replaced tomorrow. Should I replace the IAC valve?
You have 1 coolant temp sensor which feeds data to the computer to make the temp gauge function and the cooling fan.The engine coolant temp sensor and it connector is a good place to start troubleshooting if the fan and gauge do not seem to be working correctly.
If you can get your hands on a scan tool with live data you can check the actual temp.If the temp reading looks good on the tool then there is a good chance that the gauge is faulty.
@synergyservice4U Yes it located Front seating area, center, under engine cover, passenger side front of intake manifold, mounted in engine block
It very well could.Do not forget to check the connector at the temp sensor just to make sure it is ok.
k, thanks a million for your reply, now can i just replace the valve alone? or i have to replace the entire fuel pump? if that is the case i read somewhere that it has to be an EOM fuel pump because it comes w the hooks or something like that, that the generic ones won't be easy to fit is that true?? thanks again.
What if the part that screws into the motor breaks right at the nut. I was taking one or of a 95 saturn sl2into and this happened to me. I can still see it when I look inside. Do you know of an easy or way to get it out? I was taking it off and the nut part just seemed to come right off.
You do an excellent video!
First of all great video,and very useful. Thsi is my problem I have saturn sc1 2001, with 89000 miles on it. I drive a total of 6 miles to work everyday 3going 3 coming back. The fuel pump was replaced a bout 3 months ago , the coolant was leaking and it was over heating (problem fixed). Now my car does not start unless i press the gas pedal and this morning my car shut off twice while i was idle at 2 traffic lights, it idles very weird like it's going to shut off. I called the saturn dealer
Thank you for your help! It solved my problem with over heating, temp sensor was cracked. if I had changed it out first it would have saved me a lot of problems.
Thank you very much
Pistol Pete
@Richpin06a - I have a 2001 SL1 with 191,xxx miles on it. I bought it a few weeks ago. It was having hard starts and would only start if I kept my foot on the accelerator. I changed the ECTS to the new brass one, the old plastic one was cracked. It fixed the problem for about 4 days. I also cleaned the throttle body as per your video. I dried it out before putting it back on. Ran fine until two days ago, it started over again. What would you check?
You are such a life saver!!!
Thank you for a great video.I just wanted to know, if you need to disconnect one of the battery cables when you change the ect sensor.
Thanks for the tips. I will check the chime module replacement video too.
@C5ChandlerKent You have to remember you are dealing with a pipe thread which does not bottom out like a regular bolt tightening it is all in the feel.Now that it is broken you will have to use a extractor tool to remove it.
Great Video sir. I am having an issue, I bought a 94 1.9 liter EFI/OHC. I was driving it home and high temp/ low fluid light came on. I checked under the hood and the radiator cracked and was leaking. I replaced radiator,hoses,thermostat and flushed system. started it up and the low fluid/high temp light kept goin off even after a night of cooling off. does this mean the sensor is bad????
ok, rich you did it again...the saturn is overheating due to a faulty TPS, voltage to TPS is ok, relay is ok, no fan turn on (but fan bench tested is good). Hopefully this fixes it!
@jayjaydeal On the Saturn s- series the number 1thing that makes the coolant fan not work properly is the temp sensor and its connector.A scan tool with live data would tell you right away if they were working right.
@vuglialoro Temp will affect a little but not that much.If you put a scan tool on there and look at the live data you could see what's going on.
You can convert a I temp sensor head to 2 sensors like the 96-02 but you have to drill and tap the head or the water outlet.Try doing a search for this conversion.
I replaced the ECTS today. When I took it out for a test drive, I was able to get on it a few times w/ no stalling, up to about 5k. When heading back, it finally died after going to about 3500. Once it sat a few minutes, started right back up. I am thinking about going to the CPS next, but you stated that would only fail when it gets hot. I also notice my temp never gets much above the 1/4 mark, never close to 1/2way between cold and hot. Is the thermostat bad, and could this cause it?
@MyBuxJT The computer uses the information from the coolant temp sensor to calculate how much fuel the car needs to run properly.And when to turn on the cooling fan.
I was trying to do a quick search online for a P0442 (2000 Saturn SL2) and the ECTS could be a possibility (if a new gas cap doesn't resolve the issue). We were able to pass my wife's car for inspection last year by luck (MIL went off by itself, but came back on after inspection). That MIL has been on since she got the car 2 years ago... since then, I've had to do the ATX solenoid replacement, changed the coolant piece on the intake manifold, changed the water pump, etc. Ideas?...
I just replaced the ECTS in my 1995 saturn. The old ECTS looked very old and had coolant seal barely on it. If the ECTS doesn't function properly or isn't connected will that cause the service engine light to come on? Right now I don't think I have any problems, but didn't know if I put on a functioning part or not. the car heats up, the temp gauge slowly climbed to the quarter mark. I do not have a service engine light and didn't before, but once after driving across town and getting fast food.
I have been told that replacing the ECTS is the first thing I should do to try to correct my SL1's high idle rev. It looks pretty simple here and a new one is very inexpensive. Is that about right ? ( Mine is the original with the black plastic outer shell.)
hey rich i have a 1995 so theres two different sensors.. i think its a switch and the temp sensor... which one of them tells the fan when to turn on? and which one controls the temp needle on the dash?
hey richpin, thanks for your videos! i got a 99 SL1 with 215K mi. yeah!! my question: is the flat nosed brass CTS the answer to my idling problem? even after, throttle body cleaned replaced with new gasket, no vacuum leaks, IAC replaced and set to proper idle, TPS functions correctly, and most obvious of all the coolant sensor replaced twice, two different auto stores, wiring harness replaced, idling around 1100 rpm with sensor plugged in, normal idle unlplugged. what do you think?
I have a 1995 Saturn SL1, it was given to me by my brother as a gift. It has 195,000 miles on it, he told me that in the warmer weather the car runs a little on the hot side and also if sitting in traffic for a period of time. he said that this is a more recent issue. So how do I know if it is something simple to fix as the Temperature Sensor or Temp Sender (I know 95s have both (Sender single wire) or something more complicated as replacing the radiator.
hey richpin, thanks for all your videos on all things saturn, i got one question for you, what happens if i do overtighten the sensor, my fear is i have, and its caused a leak, if thats the case, what can i do about that? i guess that was two questions, thanks again