Coolant temperture sensor test

Is it possible to test the coolant temperture sensor with a meter?

Reply to
Dave
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Get or borrow a Bentley manual...as it will tell you the procedure. It is rather lengthy to summarize or post.

Reply to
Tony Bad

Yes but they are reasonably priced. You didn't mention the year of your car but if it's more then a couple of years old just replace it. They seem to gradually change as they age. Also as the first reply says "get a bently".

Jo Bo

Reply to
Jo Bo

Yes!

Reply to
Woodchuck

The coolant temp. sensor is just a resistor, who's resistance varies (decreases) with increasing temperature... So, you can use an ohm-meter to test it. The catch, you need to know what values are normal for a given temperature (usually cold (ambient temperature) and hot (engine fully warmed up) are where you would measure)... so as mentioned above, get a Bentley.

Reply to
93 Fox

And you'd have to be able to measure the water temperature as well. Bottom line is that coolant sensors are pretty inexpensive and it's pretty much just worth changing it. it's less than $20 USD and it's about 10 minutes of your time.

Reply to
Matt B.

Well, if the engine is cold, the water temp is the same as the air. And if your radiator fan switch is working correctly, you know at what temp that turns on. OR, many multimeters come with thermocouples, so you can just hold it to the radiator hose with a twist tie, and directly measure the temp that way... it's quite easy, and could save you $20 for five minutes of time.

Reply to
93 Fox

Try to test it, it's fun. You'll need a 20 dollar multimeter, set it to ohm "the omega" symbol. Keep the ign switch off, and carefully unplug the sensor. It will have 2 pins, put the red test lead on one and the black on the other and note the reading. As far as I know generic resistance readings would be plenty sufficent. They should be readily aviable. Why waste $20 on a sensor when you could buy a multimeter and learn to fix your car instead of just change the parts.

Reply to
Janda

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