LS2 Coolant Temp Sensor Failure?
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LS2 Coolant Temp Sensor Failure?
tl;dr: Is it common for the coolant temp sensor to fail on stock LS motors? Is it more likely that there is a wiring problem?
My 2006 (LS2, M6, Base, 2LT, ~90k miles) has a very intermittent problem with the coolant temperature reading. About 6 months ago I was on the highway driving conservatively and got a "Hot Engine, A/C off" message on the DIC, and noticed the cooling fan started running at full-speed. The coolant temp gauge was pegged to the cold side, as if it was turned off, the DIC coolant temp said "XX", and the oil temp was at a healthy 180F. I turned off the engine and restarted it, problem persisted. Then as suddenly as it came on, it cleared while I was driving, and everything went back to normal. Same thing happened about a month ago with the same outcome, and again this week. I followed the wiring from the sensor into the nearest wiring harness junction and didn't notice any external damage or wear.
Other background that may or may not be relevant:
I replaced the alternator and battery about a month before this first happened. The motor also has a set of MSD spark plug wires, which some claim can generate EMI that plays hell with the alternator and other electrical components, is it possible that the MSD wires are sporadically messing with the signal to the coolant temp sensor, which is very close to the frontmost spark plug and coil? The MSD wires have been in for nearly two years now so it seems unlikely that they are related, but at some point I would like to replace them with proper OEM-style wires anyway.
If you've experienced any problems with the coolant temp sensor, I would appreciate your insight.
My 2006 (LS2, M6, Base, 2LT, ~90k miles) has a very intermittent problem with the coolant temperature reading. About 6 months ago I was on the highway driving conservatively and got a "Hot Engine, A/C off" message on the DIC, and noticed the cooling fan started running at full-speed. The coolant temp gauge was pegged to the cold side, as if it was turned off, the DIC coolant temp said "XX", and the oil temp was at a healthy 180F. I turned off the engine and restarted it, problem persisted. Then as suddenly as it came on, it cleared while I was driving, and everything went back to normal. Same thing happened about a month ago with the same outcome, and again this week. I followed the wiring from the sensor into the nearest wiring harness junction and didn't notice any external damage or wear.
Other background that may or may not be relevant:
I replaced the alternator and battery about a month before this first happened. The motor also has a set of MSD spark plug wires, which some claim can generate EMI that plays hell with the alternator and other electrical components, is it possible that the MSD wires are sporadically messing with the signal to the coolant temp sensor, which is very close to the frontmost spark plug and coil? The MSD wires have been in for nearly two years now so it seems unlikely that they are related, but at some point I would like to replace them with proper OEM-style wires anyway.
If you've experienced any problems with the coolant temp sensor, I would appreciate your insight.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Hmmmm......common? I don't know but we see it here frequently.
While it is possible to have a wiring problem, maybe rats got to the wiring or something, it is less likely than a bad sensor.
Just for info:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...l-sensors.html
While it is possible to have a wiring problem, maybe rats got to the wiring or something, it is less likely than a bad sensor.
Just for info:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...l-sensors.html
