DIY Coolant Temperature Sensor change (PICS)
07-24-15, 10:58 AM
#242
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Location: Alabama
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Would a failing ECT sensor cause an occasionally high reading? My temp needle will occasionally creep up while idling, but there are no coolant leaks and both of my fans are working properly. I just fixed a coolant leak and refilled the system with new Toyota coolant, but the car was doing this before so I don't think it's air in the system.
07-26-15, 01:11 PM
#247
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My bad, those repairs were done right before I bought the car so they slipped my mind until they were brought up. I have not replaced the thermostat so I'll look into doing that. I hope I can salvage the brand new coolant I just put in, I don't want to spend another $35 on coolant.
07-30-15, 03:23 PM
#248
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I swapped out the thermostats today and the one in the car appeared to be an aftermarket one. I installed the new Toyota one with the gasket and topped off the coolant. Tomorrow will be the test when I take it out in traffic.
11-03-15, 03:33 AM
#250
Racer
if i'm already getting 21-22 mpg with 20s mixed driving, should i worry about this? My 97 has 255k miles and feels pretty powerful, but i'm unsure if i'm feeling all the power i could be getting.
I do notice in the mornings where my idle, when warming up is pretty bad. For instance, before the coolant temp gauge warms up to half way, and i'm coming to stop lights the engine's RPMs seem to die to almost 200 or so and then they kick back up to 1000 as if a fast idle valve is telling the engine to keep at a higher idle. Only happens when cold though, other times, i'm at a smooth 500rpm when warm.
I do notice in the mornings where my idle, when warming up is pretty bad. For instance, before the coolant temp gauge warms up to half way, and i'm coming to stop lights the engine's RPMs seem to die to almost 200 or so and then they kick back up to 1000 as if a fast idle valve is telling the engine to keep at a higher idle. Only happens when cold though, other times, i'm at a smooth 500rpm when warm.
11-03-15, 05:09 PM
#251
Interesting read. I had a similar issue on a '89 LX 5.0 Mustang I had. I have noticed that the '92 has a rich smell to it, more than usual when it is cold in the garage. We have a couple fiddly things to do (fuel filter, sway bar end links) to do this weekend and Lexus of South Atlanta is about 15 minutes from me so I'll run down and pick one up this weekend and tackle it.
11-03-15, 05:59 PM
#252
if i'm already getting 21-22 mpg with 20s mixed driving, should i worry about this? My 97 has 255k miles and feels pretty powerful, but i'm unsure if i'm feeling all the power i could be getting.
I do notice in the mornings where my idle, when warming up is pretty bad. For instance, before the coolant temp gauge warms up to half way, and i'm coming to stop lights the engine's RPMs seem to die to almost 200 or so and then they kick back up to 1000 as if a fast idle valve is telling the engine to keep at a higher idle. Only happens when cold though, other times, i'm at a smooth 500rpm when warm.
I do notice in the mornings where my idle, when warming up is pretty bad. For instance, before the coolant temp gauge warms up to half way, and i'm coming to stop lights the engine's RPMs seem to die to almost 200 or so and then they kick back up to 1000 as if a fast idle valve is telling the engine to keep at a higher idle. Only happens when cold though, other times, i'm at a smooth 500rpm when warm.
11-03-15, 10:25 PM
#254
Racer
I decided to do the ECT sensor, bought mine at O'Reilly's for 22 bucks with a lifetime warranty.
Mine literally crumbled, it was super brittle and for sure original. I also discovered a TON of brittle/rock hard/petrified vacuum hoses, many had splits in them, which was probably causing my low 4-500 rpm idle.
02-27-16, 05:07 PM
#255
Lead Lap
i haven't really noticed bad gas milage, but every so often my car will just suddenly start idling higher once it's already warmed up. it happened again today, in neutral it was idling at like 1300 and like 650 in D. turning the car off for 5 minutes made it stop, and no CEL or anything. is it possible the sensor is malfunctioning and causing the ECU to think the coolant is cold? this only happens intermittently but when it does the acceleration does seem a bit less snappy, should i go ahead and replace the sensor?
89422-30030 also can someone confirm if that's the right part? it's listed on Toyo DIY as SENSOR, WATER TEMPERATURE (FOR E.F.I.) and looks like what it's supposed to so i'm pretty sure it is. i've also read that there's 3 different coolant sensors on the car so i want to make sure it's the right one. thanks
89422-30030 also can someone confirm if that's the right part? it's listed on Toyo DIY as SENSOR, WATER TEMPERATURE (FOR E.F.I.) and looks like what it's supposed to so i'm pretty sure it is. i've also read that there's 3 different coolant sensors on the car so i want to make sure it's the right one. thanks