Car Died - I need some help..
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1
From: Bahston Mass.
Car Died - I need some help..
The past few days, I've noticed my temps have been jumping all over the place - literally , within seconds, it'll go from 150-172-150-145-180.. So, last night, with Bogus's suggestions in hand, I went down to check my temp sensor on the front of the waterpump (95 LT1 BTW).The plug was loose on the sensor, and fell right off.
I couldn't see much, because of the RD Racing Camber Brace, so I felt around for a while, TRIED to plug it back in, but it wouldn't go.. Must have broken off at some point.
Anyways, fast forward to this morning - I'm driving to work, I got about a mile from home, and the car starts cutting in/out bad. I pulled over, and shut it down.. It wouldn't restart for about 15 minutes. When it did, I brought it a buddy's shop, who hooked the scanner up to it (Service Engine Light was on). He said "Well, here's your problem, your computer says your antifreeze is 40 BELOW ZERO right now! You have a bad temp sensor, and it's over-compensating by dumping piles of fuel in".
Is this true? Can a bad temp sensor make the car run like this???
Thanks, in advance.
I couldn't see much, because of the RD Racing Camber Brace, so I felt around for a while, TRIED to plug it back in, but it wouldn't go.. Must have broken off at some point.
Anyways, fast forward to this morning - I'm driving to work, I got about a mile from home, and the car starts cutting in/out bad. I pulled over, and shut it down.. It wouldn't restart for about 15 minutes. When it did, I brought it a buddy's shop, who hooked the scanner up to it (Service Engine Light was on). He said "Well, here's your problem, your computer says your antifreeze is 40 BELOW ZERO right now! You have a bad temp sensor, and it's over-compensating by dumping piles of fuel in".
Is this true? Can a bad temp sensor make the car run like this???
Thanks, in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Originally Posted by JB666
The past few days, I've noticed my temps have been jumping all over the place - literally , within seconds, it'll go from 150-172-150-145-180.. So, last night, with Bogus's suggestions in hand, I went down to check my temp sensor on the front of the waterpump (95 LT1 BTW).The plug was loose on the sensor, and fell right off.
I couldn't see much, because of the RD Racing Camber Brace, so I felt around for a while, TRIED to plug it back in, but it wouldn't go.. Must have broken off at some point.
Anyways, fast forward to this morning - I'm driving to work, I got about a mile from home, and the car starts cutting in/out bad. I pulled over, and shut it down.. It wouldn't restart for about 15 minutes. When it did, I brought it a buddy's shop, who hooked the scanner up to it (Service Engine Light was on). He said "Well, here's your problem, your computer says your antifreeze is 40 BELOW ZERO right now! You have a bad temp sensor, and it's over-compensating by dumping piles of fuel in".
Is this true? Can a bad temp sensor make the car run like this???
Thanks, in advance.
I couldn't see much, because of the RD Racing Camber Brace, so I felt around for a while, TRIED to plug it back in, but it wouldn't go.. Must have broken off at some point.
Anyways, fast forward to this morning - I'm driving to work, I got about a mile from home, and the car starts cutting in/out bad. I pulled over, and shut it down.. It wouldn't restart for about 15 minutes. When it did, I brought it a buddy's shop, who hooked the scanner up to it (Service Engine Light was on). He said "Well, here's your problem, your computer says your antifreeze is 40 BELOW ZERO right now! You have a bad temp sensor, and it's over-compensating by dumping piles of fuel in".
Is this true? Can a bad temp sensor make the car run like this???
Thanks, in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 3
From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
Holy crap! That's probably the wildest problem I've heard of in recent months! It sounds like it should be a (relatively) cheap fix, though - assuming no other damage has been done. Best of luck! 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1
From: Bahston Mass.
Fortunately, I only drove about a mile after the problem started. The thing sounded like hell though, and was kicking like a bucking bronco..
I picked up a new sensor on my way to lunch today, let's hope the $17 fixes it. Looking at the new one, I can see what broke off the old sensor. On the water pump all I have are two small prongs sticking out - Apparently there's supposed to be a plastic housing around it!!
I picked up a new sensor on my way to lunch today, let's hope the $17 fixes it. Looking at the new one, I can see what broke off the old sensor. On the water pump all I have are two small prongs sticking out - Apparently there's supposed to be a plastic housing around it!!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 24
From: Orange County NY
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13
so am i right in assuming that the temperature reading on my dash is not necessarily the same as what the computer is reading? (i've got an '87)
i hope that fixes your problem - let us know!
i hope that fixes your problem - let us know!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by byebyeL98
so am i right in assuming that the temperature reading on my dash is not necessarily the same as what the computer is reading? (i've got an '87)
i hope that fixes your problem - let us know!
i hope that fixes your problem - let us know!
If the ECM thinks the engine is dead cold, it will enrich the mixture to act as the choke on a carb. At 40 below, that would be VERY rich. It will command a "cold" idle, and it won't go into closed loop operation. AND, since it really isn't that cold out, it will run like crap.
RACE ON!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Originally Posted by JB666
The past few days, I've noticed my temps have been jumping all over the place - literally , within seconds, it'll go from 150-172-150-145-180.. So, last night, with Bogus's suggestions in hand, I went down to check my temp sensor on the front of the waterpump (95 LT1 BTW).The plug was loose on the sensor, and fell right off.
I couldn't see much, because of the RD Racing Camber Brace, so I felt around for a while, TRIED to plug it back in, but it wouldn't go.. Must have broken off at some point.
Anyways, fast forward to this morning - I'm driving to work, I got about a mile from home, and the car starts cutting in/out bad. I pulled over, and shut it down.. It wouldn't restart for about 15 minutes. When it did, I brought it a buddy's shop, who hooked the scanner up to it (Service Engine Light was on). He said "Well, here's your problem, your computer says your antifreeze is 40 BELOW ZERO right now! You have a bad temp sensor, and it's over-compensating by dumping piles of fuel in".
Is this true? Can a bad temp sensor make the car run like this???
Thanks, in advance.
I couldn't see much, because of the RD Racing Camber Brace, so I felt around for a while, TRIED to plug it back in, but it wouldn't go.. Must have broken off at some point.
Anyways, fast forward to this morning - I'm driving to work, I got about a mile from home, and the car starts cutting in/out bad. I pulled over, and shut it down.. It wouldn't restart for about 15 minutes. When it did, I brought it a buddy's shop, who hooked the scanner up to it (Service Engine Light was on). He said "Well, here's your problem, your computer says your antifreeze is 40 BELOW ZERO right now! You have a bad temp sensor, and it's over-compensating by dumping piles of fuel in".
Is this true? Can a bad temp sensor make the car run like this???
Thanks, in advance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by Perfusion
Holy crap! That's probably the wildest problem I've heard of in recent months! It sounds like it should be a (relatively) cheap fix, though - assuming no other damage has been done. Best of luck!
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1
From: Bahston Mass.
Thanks guys - The new sensor is in , I had to replace the pigtail too, as that was cracked.. I'm wondering how long it's been giving false readings, because the car is running BEAUTIFULLY!!!!!!!!
So, for $17 and a little bit of time (Took off the Camber Brace), it was WELL worth it.
So, for $17 and a little bit of time (Took off the Camber Brace), it was WELL worth it.
. I guess it's the full moon! 
