Coolant Gauge Sensor Location??

badmafia · #1 (**permalink**) 08-03-06, 03:26 AM

Where is the coolant gauge sensor located??? Thanks, this forum is a bunch of help.

"Temp gauge reads high or red temp lite comes on. 1997 thru 2001. GM states its related to a large number of internally shorted coolant gauge sensors that enterd the GM parts pipeline. The BUM sensors are stamped SPAIN on one of the brass flats with a small rectangle just above it. An improved sensor part no. 3439088 is now available. The new sensor has VDO stamped on it. Hard to replace must remove intake plenum and intake manifold!This info is from MOTOR magazine April 06.
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Cat-a-Tonic · #2 (**permalink**) 08-03-06, 11:56 AM

Yup, Remove plenum and manifold. the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor is located in the coolant crossover pipe, at the centre rear of the engine. If it's defective the ECM will register error codes; DTC P0115 - ETC Sensor circuit and/or DTC P0116 - ECT Sensor circuit performance.

Jerry O

badmafia · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-06, 12:22 PM

so my car will show error codes? or do I have to goto auto zone to see the codes? My car is getting hot, but it's fine when it's just sitting there ideling. It will get to the half way mark and then drop a lil bit, but while driving it for an hour or so, it will get warm....any ideas?

Cat-a-Tonic · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-06, 04:27 PM

OK!! I get you now.You're talking about the temperature SENDER. That's a different animal. It's located in the same place It screws into the cossover pipe from the top. The "sensor" screws in from the side. The sender is connected to the engine temp gauge on the dash. You won't get any error codes if it's just the sender that's defective. But if your 'check engine' light is on you'll have to go to AutoZone to have the code read.

badmafia · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-06, 07:24 PM

Alright, thanks for the help, but I'm a little confused. What if in all actuality my car really is hot, a sender couldn't be the cause of the problem could it? I'm confused because I know its not my water pump because when it's sitting in park on idle i can see it goto the 1/2 mark then i can see it go down a little bit. I think it's a random sensor or something? I don't understand why it's getting hot? Do you think the coolant gauge sensor could be the culprit still? Is it as hard to get to as you 1st mentioned? IE taking off the plenum and manifold? I don't really know what it could be? It has coolant, water pump is working, that doesn't really leave much else does it? Thanks for all the help, but PLEASE continue.......

Cat-a-Tonic · #6 (**permalink**) 08-04-06, 08:50 PM

OK, The fans cycle on/off trying to maintain an ideal coolant temperature. Take the car out for a run. When the temp gauge indicates more than 1/2 way to hot, pull over, quickly pop the hood, turn off the engine and listen/look (but don't touch) to see how many fans are still running. Remember you have three, one main, on the grill side of the rad and two auxilliarys on the engine side of the rad. Some should stay on until the water temp in the rad cools enought to drop out a fan or two. Then we'll take it from there. Look for a recent thread originating from Toyzilla who's having a similar problem, "98 Catera keeps cutting out".
Jerry O