coolant temp sensor
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Yes, on the LT1 the CTS is located in the front of the water pump. It's easy to break the connector taking the belt on and off or if the belt breaks.
On the L98 the CTS is in the front of the intake manifold under the throttle body.
On the L98 the CTS is in the front of the intake manifold under the throttle body.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by as long as it is red
I want to replace the coolant temp (ECM)sensor. What do you use to seal the threads and still maintain a ground? Thanks
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: hartwell ga
Thanks for the replies
The replacement sensor came with some type of white sealer already on it. It looks like Teflon tape but it is not tape-like;more like a dried paste. I will tighten it down enough to get the contact needed for a good ground. You guys are the best. Thanks again.
Barry
Barry
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 18
From: Los Angeles California
I would never use any type of tape on a sensor I want to ground through the threads. It may work fine if you don't use too much, but... If the threads of a (new) sensor don't have a sealant pre-applied, I would use liquid Teflon or another good pipe thread sealant or "dope". A paste or liquid is much less likely to prevent a metal to metal contact necessary for a good ground.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
The factory service manual recommends a teflon sealer for the sensor's threads, and specifies a torque of 17-ft lbs if I'm remembering correctly (double check this!!!).
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 18
From: Los Angeles California
Out of curiousity, why are you replacing the sensor? There is so little to the sensor that I would venture to say it is very unlikely it has failed. It is far more likely for the wiring going into it to fail; think of the plastic connector going into it, and how much heat it experiences as the water pump heat cycles. Over time my connector warped so badly that it jumped in and out of contact, making the engine go crazy, for example.
If you're just replacing this sensor because you're in the middle of replacing the water pump, then ignore me.
If you're just replacing this sensor because you're in the middle of replacing the water pump, then ignore me.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: hartwell ga
Hey LouavilleLT4 - thanks for the reply
The car is a 1990 and it's CTS is an origional piece with 186,000 miles. I had a few extra dollars and wanted to do some PM. The connector looks great. Thanks for reminding me to check it out though. I have turned nearly every nut and bolt on this car so this was one area that I have never touched. I'm just trying to keep it in the best shape that I can so it will last another 186,000. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the CTS is a very important little piece for the computer to adjust properly. The car is bone stock except for the Raptor Trans and 2600 stall converter. The operating temps are always in the 220 -240 degree range. Thanks for all of your input. I feel honored that the greats of the forum have responded to my question. I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy.......
Barry
Barry
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 18
From: Los Angeles California
The car is a 1990 and it's CTS is an origional piece with 186,000 miles. I had a few extra dollars and wanted to do some PM. The connector looks great. Thanks for reminding me to check it out though. I have turned nearly every nut and bolt on this car so this was one area that I have never touched. I'm just trying to keep it in the best shape that I can so it will last another 186,000. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the CTS is a very important little piece for the computer to adjust properly. The car is bone stock except for the Raptor Trans and 2600 stall converter. The operating temps are always in the 220 -240 degree range. Thanks for all of your input. I feel honored that the greats of the forum have responded to my question. I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy.......
Barry
Barry
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 18
From: Los Angeles California
For anyone who is wondering, the analog sensor is grounded through its threads while the digital sensor is not, even though the sensors themselves are I think identical. That's why the analog has one wire and the digital has two; the other wire on the digital goes to a ground pin directly on the PCM. So seal the heck out of it, no worries. My sensor did not come with any coating on the threads at all; if yours doesn't, you'll have one wet engine bay if you don't seal it.
You're right about the ECT circuit having an unusually huge influence on how the engine runs for how simple it is, but in your scenario I would just leave it alone and not bother it, and spend your time driving the car and having fun instead.
Edit: Jesus Christ, I just looked at some of your all's post-per-day ratios. And I thought I spent too much time on here!
You're right about the ECT circuit having an unusually huge influence on how the engine runs for how simple it is, but in your scenario I would just leave it alone and not bother it, and spend your time driving the car and having fun instead.
Edit: Jesus Christ, I just looked at some of your all's post-per-day ratios. And I thought I spent too much time on here!
Last edited by LouisvilleLT4; Aug 15, 2007 at 02:23 PM.