Coolant Temperature Sensor not seated?

PJM333

MEMBER
2007 JEEP LIBERTY
3.7L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
132,000 MILES

2007 Jeep Liberty replacing Coolant Temperature Sensor but the connector does not click on / not seated. I had an old connector & CTS AND tried to connect out of car but still doesn’t click on. From the old connector I pulled out the rubber piece inside of connector (pictured) and now it clicks on / seated. Any ideas on what is wrong? Thanks!

From the old connector I pulled out the rubber piece inside of connector (pictured) and now it clicks on / seated. Any ideas on what is wrong? Thanks

Images (Click to make bigger)

Saturday, July 19th, 2025 AT 6:31 AM

5 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,233 POSTS

That seal piece should stay with the plug on the wiring harness, not with the sensor. It slips onto it. Then apply a THIN coat of a silicone grease or spray and then it should slide in and the connector will lock.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, July 19th, 2025 AT 7:05 AM

PJM333

MEMBER
30 POSTS

Thanks for your reply, I did use grease but still will not click on. The only way it clicks on is after I removed the rubber piece from the connector? Thanks again !

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, July 19th, 2025 AT 7:07 AM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,233 POSTS

The new part might be defective then. Especially if it won't seat properly on 2 different connectors. The seal is there because the contacts tend to corrode from moisture.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, July 19th, 2025 AT 7:29 AM

PJM333