Engine Temp Sensor vs Water/Coolant Temp Sensor
 

Whats the difference between an Engine Temp Sensor and a Water/Coolant Temp Sensor? What does each one do, where are they located, and which is the one that causes the dashboard dumbie light to come on and causes the car to run like crap when cold?

There are some of these at the bloc>>>
 

where the h20 hoses juncture. This is near the dist., in front of it. there's a sensor on the top of the bloc, and one under it... both go inside this bloc. Both work together to do a variety of things.

If you pull them, and clean them, perhaps it will improve their function.. perhaps not... these are likely around 20 years old, yes? You might need new ones.

Sensor info.
 

Two separate sensors:

ECU Coolant sensor: Sensor on the top rad hose, head end, with the metal clip. Usually on the bottom.

Temp gauge snsor: In the same place on the head, but usually on the top of the hose. Connector just pushes in, no metal clip.

This sensor give the signal for the gauge, and the flashing overheat light on separate pins. The flashing 'overheat' light also can come on if the coolant in the overflow tank gets low.



Now, if the car runs like crap, but only when cold, it may have a bad ECU coolant sensor.

An easy way to test, is to undo that sensor's connector when cold (A open circuit make the ECU think the coolant is REALLY cold). With the connector is undone, the ECU will make the mixture really rich, as it thinks it's cold out.

If the motor starts easy with the connector off, but hard start with it on (when cold), I'd think it's the sensor with a problem.

Once started and running for a bit, remember to put the sensor connector back on, or the motor will stop running because the mixture is too rich as the motor warms up!

Good luck!

Spoken ever-so eloquently..... what he said...

Re: Spoken ever-so eloquently..... what did he say...??
 

"ever-so eloquently" Whazzat mean? :-)

Seriously though: I must have expalined that stupid CTSensor story a million times. I should just make a link to a page or someting..!

Say.. Are you bring your dog to Carlise? Isn't it you that has the "DieselDog" ?

Yup- Diesel is my 4-footed friend. He'll be along to Carsile.
 

Don't you have a hound as well, that road-trips with you?

Diesel=Cool!
 

Diesel looks like he's a pretty cool 'pup'!

And, yes, looks like we will have our 'oh too cute' ('Cause he wants you to feed him!) 'Calvin', the 'hotdog:
<img src="http://www.sentex.net/~fdekat/carlisle/caldog.jpg">





And our new addition...
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/80066/tylo_sml.jpg">

Who came to us in 'not such good shape'. He's kind of shy because of his previous life, but gets on well once he does some sniffing.. :-)

I thought I remembered Calvin. That's a great photo.
 

My diesel had a shoddy previous life as well. It's taken him 2.5 years since we rescued him to get as "un-nervous" as he is now.