Cloolant temp XXX ??????
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Florida
Cloolant temp XXX ??????
I pulled my coolant temperature sensor to check if my fans would come on, then I put it back on and now the coolant temp on the screen has three XXX going across, and the coolant gauge is pegged at 260. I made sure it was on tight, and I also disconnected the battery to see if it would return to normal but it didn’t. Do I need a new sensor???
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Yeah, sounds broke to me. Three things when you install the new one ...
1) Tighten to 13 lb/ft torque (over tightening can break it)
2) Handle with care, they are sensitive to things like being dropped.
Be certain electrical connection is clean (no corrosion)
1) Tighten to 13 lb/ft torque (over tightening can break it)
2) Handle with care, they are sensitive to things like being dropped.
Be certain electrical connection is clean (no corrosion)
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Sounds like you have not got the connector into its matching connector on the sensor correctly. Or you may have damaged the connector when taking it apart. Carefully inspect the connector on the wiring harness and on the sensor. They should fit together without having to force them. Try turning the connector by 180 degrees if it doesn't seem to fit ... you may have it "upside down" ....
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Did you damage the electrical connector on the sensor ?? If you didn't remove the sensor, then the sensor itself should be fine. If you damaged the sensor then you will need to remove it.
It's not hard to do, but you will have coolant running out when you remove the sensor unless you pre-drain the radiator (which is what the service manual specifies). Then using a socket wrench you unscrew the sensor. Coat the threads of the new sensor with a sealer (GM part number 12346004) and HAND start it back into the engine head. DO NOT USE THE WRENCH TO START IT. If you cross thread the sensor you will have made a real mess of it, so again, HAND START IT. Once the sensor is easily screwing in, use the socket on a torque wrench to tighten to 13 lb/ft. Again DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.
Attach wiring from the harness, refill the cooling system with fresh coolant, purge air from the cooling system and then you are done.
Part number from GM is 15326388 and list price is $33.95
It's not hard to do, but you will have coolant running out when you remove the sensor unless you pre-drain the radiator (which is what the service manual specifies). Then using a socket wrench you unscrew the sensor. Coat the threads of the new sensor with a sealer (GM part number 12346004) and HAND start it back into the engine head. DO NOT USE THE WRENCH TO START IT. If you cross thread the sensor you will have made a real mess of it, so again, HAND START IT. Once the sensor is easily screwing in, use the socket on a torque wrench to tighten to 13 lb/ft. Again DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.
Attach wiring from the harness, refill the cooling system with fresh coolant, purge air from the cooling system and then you are done.
Part number from GM is 15326388 and list price is $33.95
