Where is the engine coolant temperature sensor located?

Tiny
FRAZIER88
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 BUICK CENTURY
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
The car listed above is a limited Edition. It started to blow only cold air and overheat at the same time messed with the controls inside on the dash and it randomly started blowing hot air and the engine cooled off. Strange right? 15,000 miles later it started this again only overheating at a constant, so I changed the thermostat, the water pump, the radiator, flushed the heater core (water flow freely), changed the cabin filter, and now I'm stuck. Randomly though the heat will start to work and then the engine stays cool but that only lasts a moment. There are no leaks anywhere except when it overheats and goes out the overflow that's it. So, I'm exploring any other option I can find.
Tuesday, February 11th, 2025 AT 7:01 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,506 POSTS
I have seen the water pump impeller become loose or rust out causing this problem. With the thermostat out and the upper radiator hose off you can start the engine for a second to see if coolant is pumped out, have a drain basin ready to catch the coolant. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.
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Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 AT 10:07 AM

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