Engine Coolant sensor problem

Tiny
WHITEBH
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 167,000 MILES
Replaced thermostat, temperature coolant sensor, fuel filter. Car was have troubles when you reach 40-50 mph rpms and gas pedal bouncing up and down. Check light came on autozone said it was either low coolant, thermostat, coolant temp sensor. Changed thermostat no better changed coolant sensor problem solved, but where is it?
Sunday, May 8th, 2011 AT 5:06 PM

23 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hello,

the engine coolant temperature sensor is located by the thermostat here is guide to help walk you through the repair with diagrams below to show you how on your car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-temperature-sensor-cts-replacement

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Sunday, May 8th, 2011 AT 8:09 PM
Tiny
EMBONE
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 90 MILES
Dont trust temp gauge in dash want to install 2nd temp gauge (mechanical) will not using temp sesor effect fans(electric) or the computer dont want a constant ckeck engine light. Just relaced head gaskets lower intake gasket and plenum. Torqed head bolts bit more than specified. Brand new cheap duralast torqe wrench no where near 37 ft lbs at 44 ft lbs when checked with higher quality torque wrench have not been able to contact fel pro tech they shut down on thursday for the weekend. Is there anything to look out for or just paranoid. Thanks for your help em. Bone
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Remove the existing sending unit and install a "T". If you use an electric temp gauge, the temp probe is smaller than with a mechanical gauge.
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LBOWLINGL19
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 135,000 MILES
Hello, I have a 2003 impala with a 3.4 motor. I am having a problem with the cooling fans not working properly. I do have a genisys scanner with 2.0 software that I just got. I hook it up and watch the temp on there. The fans do not kick on until 230 degrees and it is both on high. If I run the ac they both will kick on high for a few seconds at 217-220 degrees and the temp lowers a little then the fans shut off. I have checked all the fuses and they are good. I have switched the relays and it doesnt seem to change anything. The will both also come on if I unplug the coolant temp sensor. What would you suggest to find out what I need to replace. Thanks
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
I would start with replacing the thermostat. Then monitor the temps.

Roy
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LBOWLINGL19
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Update: when I went back to check the relays I pulled them out and noticed that it is supposed to have two 4 prong relays and one 5 prong relay in the center and all three of mine were 4 prong. I bought the correct relay this time and put it in and watch the temp and the low speed fans kicked on at 217 degrees as thet should and all is well now. I hope this might help someone else in the future.
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Who replaced the relays? How did the wrong one get there?

Roy
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LBOWLINGL19
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
They had to be like that when I bought the car. I bought it used. I switched them around with each other earlier to see if that made a difference and I didnt notice the prongs until I went back to check the voltage. Oh I changed the thermostat a few moths ago thinking that might have been the problem but it didnt change anything.
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Are you sure you did not install the incorrect relay in the slot and the slot that took the other relay has the incorrect in there now?

Roy
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WAYNE52
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 134,000 MILES
How to remove @enstall low coolent sensor
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
All you have to do is remove the spring clip on the back side of it and disconnect the connector. You may want to flush the cooling system if it is full of mud. If not the sensor could go bad again in time.
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LBOWLINGL19
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
No, I did check before I went and bought a new one. I now have 2 relays with 4 prongs and 1 new relay with 5 prongs
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAPPS12000
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 103,000 MILES
I got a 2002 chevy impala 3400 motor the cooling fan wasn't kicking on I replaced the heat sensor the fan kicks on now but after it gets half hot whats up with it
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
The only time the cooling fan turns on is when the engine get around 240 degrees or the AC is turned on. What do you mean by half way. Is that on the temp gauge.
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
THEHAHNS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
Engine Cooling problem
2001 Chevy Impala V8 Automatic 160000 miles

How do you change the coolant sensor?
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
I believe it just screws out. Check the new one for threads. If it has them, unscrew it and replace it with the new one.
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WOODSTOCK6978
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Im having the same problem.
Where in the world is the ECT? I can not find it on this car.
Thank you so much!
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
I believe it will be under the passanger seat or on one of the kick pannels.
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DNORRIS38
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 116,462 MILES
How do you replace a Engine Coolant Temperature sensor? The vehicle is a 3.8 liter V6.
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Wait until engine is cold, then just unscrew it, and intall the new one, you wont loose too much coolant and you wont burn yourself!
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Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019 AT 2:16 PM (Merged)

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