On my wife's 1998 Lexus ES300 on the driver's side of the engine, near where the return hose of the radiator there is a "sensor". I assume it's a coolant temp sensor, so i ordered one. The one on my car has one lead, but the one I received has two. Both are 9mm. I then found a single lead one on RockAuto and ordered it but it it too small. Without sounding stupid, what is the correct sensor? Is there a one lead sensor? I am getting a low temp CEL. We just got this car with 70K miles. SO far great car except for the recent CEL. I replaced the coils to clear one of the CEL's, but now have another one and a gas smell from the exhaust (will need to go to my mechanic for that one). I cleaned the throttle body, MAF sensor, replaced air filter (needed it), and am trying to do the fuel filter but it's fighting me.

 

Why do you think the sensor is bad, from what you describe it sounds like a bad thermostat causing the CEL. What does the temperature gauge read and how is the heat output?