I have an engine coolant sensor trouble code and need to replace it

Tiny
ACER516
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 BUICK CENTURY
  • 98,000 MILES
1992 Buick Century Special engine coolant sensor problems. My Buick shows a check engine light.I found the code for the trouble which is 14 Engine coolant sensor. I found the sensor location in engine block under the alternator. It has 2 wires coming from it. Need to know what tools I need to replace sensor, regular or metric socket and also how does top plastic cap come off or do I just pry it off with screwdriver. Don't want to break it.
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 AT 12:05 AM

52 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Its going to take a metric socket to unscrew it as far as the connector which engine do you have the 2.5L or the 3.3L engine.
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 AT 12:17 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Looks like ethier engine the connector you just move the tab over a little and unplug the connector.
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 AT 12:21 AM
Tiny
ACER516
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I have the 3.3L engine Century special 4dr automatic also where is the fuse box I want to go thru all the fuses also
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 AT 12:26 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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There is no fuse that effects that circuit or would set that code if it was blown. Do you have a multimeter?You can test the resistance of the sensor if you know the coolant temp or if the engine is cold and you know outside temp where your car is.
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 AT 12:39 AM
Tiny
ACER516
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No I don't have a multimeter tomorrow I will take a pic of sensor and engine area and send it to you. Top of engine says 3300
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 AT 12:46 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I posted the coolant sensor chart just incase you decide to test it. So where you confused where the sensor is?It has a black wire and a yellow wire going to it.
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 AT 1:00 AM
Tiny
ACER516
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Ya I see that but the yellow is so dirty it looks brown lol!When I get the part I will go to advance and bring em to the car to make sure I got the right part
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 AT 1:12 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Thats a good idea keep me posted.
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 AT 1:16 AM
Tiny
ACER516
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  • 39 POSTS
Thanks for your time and help. If I could afford it I would let a mechanic do it all but I am retired on limited income even work pt to get by at 66 yrs.I searched how to jump the terminals to read the codes.I used 2 aligator clips and a wire did that this am. It worked fine ttyl thanks again.I saved the chart to file
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+1
Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 AT 1:41 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome thats what were here for keep me posted on what you find.
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 AT 1:58 AM
Tiny
ACER516
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Today I tried to get top cap off but it wouldn't budge. Took a picture where sensor is located
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 AT 11:32 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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So does the connector have a tab to bend to the side to remove the connector?If not try gently squezing the connector to remove it. Let me know what you find.
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 AT 12:14 AM
Tiny
ACER516
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It looks like a slot in the center on far end.I tried pulling it up but it wouldn't move tomorrow I will try squezing it to see if it comes off that way
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 AT 12:50 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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If there is a tab it has to be moved to the side a little and you pull it off.
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 AT 12:57 AM
Tiny
ACER516
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Ok I will try that also will let you know how I make out thanks
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 AT 1:10 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome keep me posted.
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 AT 1:14 AM
Tiny
ACER516
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If I get the top cap off where the 2 wires are and want to replace the cap where can I find where the wires connect to at the other end.I also notice by looking at a parts diagram on Advance auto the top cap and sensor plug in together as male and female connectors I was told possibly the plug may be the problem so I may replace both and be done with it. Both would be about 50$
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Thursday, November 10th, 2011 AT 6:06 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Does your sensor look like the one I posted a pic of?If so there is a plastic tab that needs to by pushed over while unpluging it.
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Thursday, November 10th, 2011 AT 5:12 PM
Tiny
ACER516
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Yes saturntech I got the cap off today no problemthere was a tasb on back I pulled it up and it came right off I unplugged it from the sensor saw how it goes and put it back on I also followed the 2 wires to a place in back of altinator they went inside a protected plastic tube with a slit in it.I suspect I have to spread the slit and pull out the wire gently then see a connector attached that will pull off to get the wire freed then replace it all am I correct? I went to autoparts and they don't have either in stock so am ordering them from the net which is better then I get 15% off probrably will get them sat. Looks like a pretty simple fix as long as the sensor itself unscrews easy. Is the sensor torqued much?Also should I put teflon on the threads of new sensor?Or use thread seal.
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Thursday, November 10th, 2011 AT 10:46 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Are you talking about replacing the connector for the coolant temp sensor?If so then that connector doesnt plug to replace it. You would cut the old one out and wire the new one in with some crimp and melt to seal butt connectors. As far as the sensor itself there not that tight so dont go crazy when you replaced the new one. Most of the time the new sensor come with sealer on them. If they dont you could put some teflon tape on it.
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Friday, November 11th, 2011 AT 1:23 AM

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