What Does the Coolant Temperature Sensor Do?
Your engine coolant temperature sensor (CTS or ECTS) is responible for monitoring the temperature of the coolant flowing through your car’s engine and making sure that your coolant levels are balanced.
- What Signs May Signal Your Coolant Temperature Sensor May Be Failing?
- Irregular Temperature Readings
- Your Engine is Overheating
- Your Check Engine Light is On
Your car’s cooling system is essential for keeping a healthy engine. To keep that system working properly, not only do you need the proper type and amount of car coolant but also the coolant temperature sensor has to be able to do its job. If you’re noticing problems with your car, it might mean part of your cooling system is giving out. More specifically, it could also mean that your coolant temperature sensor is malfunctioning.
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What Does the Coolant Temperature Sensor Do?
Basically, your engine coolant temperature sensor (CTS or ECTS) monitors the temperature of the coolant circulating through your car’s engine. In turn, this gives an idea of how hot your engine is. If your engine is overheating, it’s up to the coolant temperature sensor to pick up on that information and trigger the dashboard light, as well as any other responses your car is set to carry out.
Many modern cars will automatically shut off the engine once it reaches a certain temperature to protect it from excessive damage. If your coolant temperature sensor isn’t doing its job properly, the engine may not receive the signal to shut off and you might find yourself facing serious engine damage.
What Signs May Signal Your Coolant Temperature Sensor May Be Failing?
While regular car maintenance should resolve many of these issues, additional work may need to be done in order to properly service those small parts. These delicate parts include those within your cooling system, problems can sometimes sneak up on you. Luckily, there are a few key signs and ways that you can use to catch a failing coolant temperature sensor before it causes a major auto repair for your engine or transmission.
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Poor Fuel Economy
Part of the coolant temperature sensor’s job of accurately reporting your car’s coolant temperature is to ensure the correct mixture of fuel is used. A higher ratio of fuel is used the cooler the engine’s temperature, so if your ECT is reporting a cool temperature when your engine is actually warm or hot, more fuel will be used than necessary. A failing coolant temperature sensor will commonly report a cooler temperature than is accurate.
Irregular Temperature Readings
If you notice more fluctuation in your engine temperature or it looks higher or lower than usual while you’re driving, it could be the engine coolant temperature sensor. In particular, if your engine doesn’t seem to be warming up as it typically does, you should have a mechanic take a look at your cooling system. While it could be cooler outside temperatures, it also is likely that the temperature being reported is inaccurate and lower than it actually is.
Black Smoke from Your Exhaust
Along with the fuel ratio being controlled by the coolant temperature sensor, if there’s too much excess fuel being used, it may not be able to burn off in the combustion chamber. When this happens, you’re likely to notice black smoke coming out of your exhaust because the remaining fuel is being burned off there instead. While a little bit of black smoke won’t render your car undrivable, it is an indication that you should avoid driving your car and instead get it to a professional mechanic for a cooling system repair service.
Your Engine is Overheating
While a failing engine coolant temperature sensor may give a permanent cold signal, it can also malfunction in a way that sends a hot signal when your engine temperature is safe. In this case, your car will tell you that your engine is overheating when it actually is not, meaning you’ll likely have a dashboard warning light on and your car may not operate properly.
Your Check Engine Light is On
Alongside the signal that your engine is overheating, you may see your check engine light come on if your coolant temperature sensor is failing or has failed. If your car’s computer senses a problem with the signal your sensor is sending, it may trigger the check engine light. Regardless, your check engine light coming on is a sure sign you should have your car checked by a trusted mechanic.
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