Air conditioning

SATURN-98

MEMBER
SATURN

Hi I have a 1998 Saturn sl1, and my ac is not blowing cold air, I alreadyhad some check if I needed to charge it but it is fully charged. The blower motor also works, but its blowing hot air. The person who checked it said it maybe the compressor or the tempertaure sensor, but I can't locate the temp. Sensor. Where would it be and how would I take it out?

1 Reply

ROADWARRIOR3

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Replace the ECTS (Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor).

Replace the ECTS ONLY when the engine is NOT HOT.

The ECTS costs $9. Since you will lose 1 - 2 qts of engine coolant (if you're slow in making the switch) when switching the old and new ECTS's, this will cost about $3. TOTAL COST: $12.

The ECTS is about 6 inches below the top of the engine. It is on the DRIVER side of the engine. Carefully remove the small white cap with 2 wires coming out of it.

Use 13mm DEEP WELL socket (6 point variety recommended) and a socket wrench to remove the ECTS.

It will unscrew very easily because it is only lightly tightened. TRY to quickly remove the old ECTS with the new ECTS. Each second it takes to perform this switch, engine coolant will pour out of the socket that holds the ECTS.

Tighten the new ECTS snugly but NOT TIGHTLY.
DO NOT - DO NOT -- OVERtighten the ECTS.

Place the white cap with the 2 wires on the new ECTS. DONE.

An amateur mechanic can do this job in under 15 minutes.

BE SURE to thoroughly wash away the engine coolant that spilled into the engine compartment and onto the ground/pavement below the car when you removed the old ECTS.