How to test a Coolant Temperature Sensor

[@ClassicTV4U]

Excellent tutorial! In a nutshell: the correct operation is, resistance goes DOWN as engine temperature increases and resistance goes UP as engine temperature decreases.

[@overyourheadproductions5516]

Excellent tutorial! I'm from Brooklyn and i understood you perfectly. Didn't think guys from the opposite side of the world speak the same language! But, when it comes to cars we do! Thanks for sharing.

[@bmw-e30]

Very good explanatory video. The coolant temp sensor gets the blame and is replaced for a lot of issues when it is not actually the problem. Handy to know how to test them.

[@EilaGomez]

Thank you for this excellent explanation. I need to get this test done before wasting any more money on my coolant temp meter quitting problem...

[@RonaldArthur]

Thanks so much just changed mine yesterday and saw a lot of engine performance. All the same I had the radiator washed and so far so good. But will run a test on the old one to practice.

[@BMACVAGS]

Excellent, thanks for supporting the channel.

[@adriankirk4644]

Steve, you are an utter GEM. There can not be any other "expert" on cars who is so helpful. Thank you so much. I will be going to VW to get a new sensor. Wish I knew where you were, I would give you all my work.

[@sergeantgunny]

Oh man, this reminds me of my 1981 VW Scirocco that I had modded with a 87 GTI engine, fun as hell, but I swear I was replacing the thermal switch like every 6 months. Still miss that car.

[@incorrect1844]

Had same issues on audi a3 1,6 petrol engine,then i realized the big fan wasnt working coz was seized and only the small one was running by itself all good now. Thanx for video Brother

[@stuzman52]

Nice demo of the ECT sensor BMAC using resistance. Another method is to measure the voltage drop across the sensor from when the engine is cold to when it gets warmed up. For this, your voltage will be higher on cold start-up, and as the engines warms up, the voltage will start dropping. This method will eliminate having to remove the sensor from the engine.

[@SteveRobReviews]

Hey Terry that's fantastic I'm trying it out next ect fault I come across. I have been ohming out the sensor to manufactures temp scale.

[@stuzman52]

And even faster Steve is to just look at the ECT parameter on a scan tool if you have one. Then if you see something out of the ordinary with the temp value, you can just measure the voltages.

[@busi3554]

Wow! ! Great learning outcomes

[@Avantone]

Good explanation. The water in the glass would have cooled, whereas the water under pressure in an engine with added coolant will be more like 106C (223F) so the sensor was probably ok

[@kenhemmings6127]

Very helpful indeed. Thank you.

[@petergriffin1264]

Great video, very useful. One small thing fyi for future reference mate I think you mean "within parameters" not ""within perimeters".

[@Happy-Me.]

Happy New Year and keep up the good work!!

[@BMACVAGS]

Thanks brother, will do

[@paulfalcone4115]

A1+++ thanks for a job well done and understandable. Blessings Paul

[@purdy323F]

Quick question, my coolant temp sensor (2 pin grey connector) is reading -40 Celsius on Vagcom..I replaced the sensor and it still reads -40 and the car is hard to start.. Any ideas? Great videos by the way!! 👍

[@levani2067]

I Have question:my golf 4 mk4 2.0 2001, has such i problem, morning when i start engine it has missfire 15-20 seconds and during missfire it has dark black and dark blue smoke from exhaust.. I want to know if temperature sensor can do such a things?

[@PianistsRavel]

The water had to have cooled down some to keep it from reaching the 375 range, constant boiling water if you wanted a more precise but the fact it went down probably means the sensor is not bad. Also could you have just place the probes on the connectors instead of creating something to fit them, good job on providing another way to test

[@Maniacdaloc]

Thanks mate, you really helped me. God bless.

[@BMACVAGS]

No problem

[@13YTe]

I know and understand that this clip is old, but, by any chance do you know if the two resistors inside this 059919501A sensor have the same values (resistance), or the one for dashboard reporting temperature have a resistance value and the one for the ECU reporting temperature have a different other resistance value at the same temperature? I will appreciate if you have any technical data sheet for this sensor with the resistors values at different temperatures. Also, one more question, it is possible if this sensor is faulty the engine cut off / stall, some sort of protection command from the ECU? Thanks in advance for your time.

[@tranced4ever]

you could have tested the new one to show correct values

[@billarroo1]

Good explanation Thanks

[@justinhughes9311]

Good info, just took a while to get there.

[@okar927]

thanks! I learned something today!

[@BMACVAGS]

Excellent, glad it helped

[@FarooqKhan-uf8xt]

okar927

[@Engineerboy100]

Good Job, Nice video, Thank you!

[@meyawabdulaziz3863]

in my car its separated into 2 sensors one for the gauge and another for the computer the gauge sensor is one wire the computer is two wired can coolant temperature sensors ...can this cause overheat ? we addressed everything else..with exception of head gasket with our car overheat shows only in summer thats when it peaks between 55c and 61c in July i think many people are not seeing this coolant temperature problem because it is masked by the colder environment they live in it just translates into bad fuel economy lol in Kuwait ,,,,,you must keep you cooling system well MAINTAINED check the entire cooling system every 1 mounth once its gets 3 years old...or your most importantly if your car is out of the warranty coverage,,,

[@jkjerome1]

I don't think you answer these but, just in case: could a dodgy sensor cause an "immob. activated" code? I've not noticed any issue with temperature readings but have had some weird fault codes including this immobilisier one which renders the car unusable for days sometimes.

[@abdulganiyuhamza7810]

Great work thanks

[@nebunoaizer]

BMAC VAGS hey what about the flat side ? my gauge isn't moving so want to check that part of the sensor. At wich values should be considered faulty ? it is the same with with values for the rounded part for ECU ?

[@MegaAmas123]

Cool stuff sir, keep it up

[@BMACVAGS]

Thank you

[@szalasizsolt71]

Hello. I have a problem with my temperature gage, sometimes it goes up to 90, then suddenly drops down to about 50/53. When I try to restart the car it stays exactly where it dropped off. Could that mean that the sensor is defected, or is it contact problem. I was thinking to pull out the connector and clean it a bit with some contact spray. What do you thing? P.S. What damage could this do to my engine? Is there a risk of overheating the engine and damage it, or is there a safety precaution and the ECU turns on the fan?

[@RonaldArthur]

Can you please do some thing on how to clean the egr and purging for golf 4. I have a 1.6 SR engine

[@1975Kombi1]

I seem to be getting a range of 350 - 2700. Do you know the exact temp-resistance for low and high. The range of car should be around 5C - 90C. So at 5C should it be 350ohms and at 90C 2500???

[@taab7]

How do you measure resistance on a single pin sensor? Is the metal casing the ground terminal?

[@davidcyprusnow]

So if it's not working would show the temperature gauge hot and make the fan run even if the radiator is cold

[@jamaldaf]

thank you so much for this video

[@FixItYerself]

Great video at 5:25

[@andywalwyn]

If you use a big mug to put the boiling water in you will have longer to measure the resistance, a cold little jar with a cold sensor dunked in it will cool below 90 deg quite soon.

[@BMACVAGS]

Yes I will remember that next time.

[@billwilliams6338]

BMAC VAGS, }}} I disconnected the Temperature sending unit/temp sense, so How can I test the instrumentation temp gauge in my cars dash board by itself to check if its working correctly, what do I need to do?

[@faridjahed]

thanks for the tips but how much is the vw Jetta tdi 2010 temp sensor?

[@zanafieldman6335]

Thanks man great concise tutorial! What site do you get the specific ohmetric values from? Been searching for an hour now!

[@hamideddaifi5615]

thanks Mr TESTER

[@mustaphaaitoukhalek8892]

hello what if this temperature sensor not working...!? my Audi car fan running all the time, from the car start till i turn off the engine, i checked all relays in fuse box i found them working. and fan still running, so can you tell me what is the problem if you have any idea ??? thank you

[@BENNYBIGGUN]

nice one am going to try that on may BMer next. It would have bean nice thow to see the other one working or not.

[@BMACVAGS]

Excellent, let me know how you get on

[@1975Kombi1]

Also can you pull the temps up in the Ross tech cable??

[@wertbe1718]

would this method work for a single terminal sensor?

[@herrlip72]

Across C and D to the curved side I have OL in room temp - EEK time for a new one

[@rupenroychoudhury770]

great learning.

[@charlesdavid5137]

I recently purchased an OEM Audi sensor and replaced it as my original was defective, however after only three weeks my new part failed and gave me the exact same symptoms. The dealer exchanged my part for another and said that they don't ussually have issues. The new sensor solved all drivabilty issues and all systems are working as they should for now. Is it possible that something is causing the sensors to fail?

[@logmegadeth72]

+Charles David could possibly be a large oil leak caused by the cam chain tensioner half moon seal or gasket. I am guessing this a 1.8T? The coolant sensor sits right under the cam chain tensioner area, so if oil was seeping into the sensor, it be causing issues?

[@charlesdavid5137]

+David F. Thank you for the advice. Actually it's a 3.0L V6 engine. The coolant Temp Sensor is in the coolant pipe on the backside of the heads in approximately the center. Further update, now that the weather has cooled down considerably, there are more issues regarding engine coolant. When the engine is started the temperature gauge is on the C. As you drive in city traffic the needle climbs to the normal operating position between C and H. If you stop at a traffic signal the needle begins to go back toward the C. After you begin traveling again the needle travels back towards the normal operating temp range. I have replaced the thermostat and bled the system of air, however this did not change the outcome whatsoever. There may still be air trapped in the system or maybe another issue altogether. The coolant pump was changed by the dealer less than 35,000 miles ago, but I recently discovered that this engine has a secondary electric coolant pump...

[@benjaminhatfield5606]

Hi mate, have you got the part number for the OEM VW ect sensor, I have had a couple of cheap ones fail so would like to source a more reliable one. Cheers

[@BMACVAGS]

sorry not at the moment. you can check with the dealership the one suitable for your car.

[@JesseJayScott]

My Sensor is at 1.09 on COLD , does that mean I need to replace? By the way my Rad Fan does not come on. And I even had problems with the vehicle overheating when idle. Should that mean I replace this right away?

[@brentlebarron5035]

MagicSnipezz I have the same problem did you get yours fixed was this the issue

[@deliss]

MagicSnipezz that thermostat not the sensor is your problem.

[@kelvinchikezie9370]

please mate...could you help with where i could get (online) a coolant sensor for my toyota avensis 2.0?

[@brentlebarron5035]

Kelvin Chikezie ebay

[@nickluke2006]

Do you do work on vw's?? Or just as a hobby??

[@yusufmaruf]

I agree with Bob Moore it can be misleading.

[@on_Machs]

I'm trying to check my temp sensor from a classic mustang, it only has 1 wire, not 2 like most cars. how can i check my sensor?

[@iainmckay9970]

You probably received an answer by now, but attach the negative lead from your multimeter to the base of the sensor, at the threads. The single contact prong or tab is for the positive. This type takes its ground connection directly from the part of the engine(or radiator) it is attached to.

[@taab7]

Thanks I did what you advised on a cold sensor and got a reading of zero ohms which means a short circuit...right?

[@Wiliuz]

offtopic, but do you know how to test egr selenoid N18? i got vcds telling me 19586 - EGR System P3130 - 35-00 - Regulation Range Exceeded thanks

[@BMACVAGS]

What is the make and model of your car?

[@Wiliuz]

its vw passat, 2004 avb engine, tdi, pd100

[@BMACVAGS]

I will find out and get back to you

[@Wiliuz]

thanks mate

[@magdalencarpentier3307]

BMAC VAGS, i have question diagnosing a bad ect on wifes 02 pt cruiser 2.4 tested it cold this morn while in the engine could it in minuses here right now only get reading on 200k ohms and got reading of 45.6ohms warmed engin up to operating temp. tried test again and got 0.90 to 1.00 ohms on 20k ohms. this dont seem right should not the ohms drop farther , having engine performance issues and one of th only rhings left to check can comtact me at [e-mail]

[@judejoseph891]

would this cause your ac and fans to stop work

[@nicholasschlichter2034]

Blower motor or the resistor

[@cb7tune]

wat if im getting 0 ohms on a cold sensor?

[@annestdahl180]

Where can I buy a New sensor for my Golf mk1?

[@Biggreydog]

Anne Østdahl the cobblers or swimming baths or the parts department at dealership

[@temporarykitchens1237]

Thanks

[@scottgrant6141]

How does your coolant temp sensor run your turbo

[@caraudiosolutions]

it doesnt

[@gelliohumberto5858]

It gives the computer information which it uses to control boost etc. Along with a bunch of other sensors. :)

[@izzzzzz6]

I dunno. That glass of water has been sitting there a while. An engine can withstand over 100C as it is under pressure.

[@btorun]

A guide on how to over complicate things

[@Ryansgt]

Are you sure you don't mean Mohms. Even 10 ohms would seem too high for a switch that is attempting to pass current. 275 mohm or .275 ohms would seem more indicative of an closed switch.

[@iainmckay9970]

In this case ohms, rather than milli-ohms, is correct. It is common to think of a closed circuit in terms of just being "on". This sensor, however, would need to get far hotter than your engine will go in order to get the resistance so low. This is assuming it is even able work to those extremes.

[@tiedupsmurf]

I have paid a shit load of cash to VW, and have been back and forth four times, each time paying for this part and that part....and they say .. We will only charge you for the part ...four times....yep four times and still I have the problem, so I come on here to find it. I will try this new part ...code reads P1296.

[@itellitlikeitis.6488]

was dead on point..

[@travelinthru9519]

First of all that's not a thermostat

[@Alf-Garnish]

parameters NOT perimeters

[@BMACVAGS]

Cheers

[@wenzenuf221]

2 min video that took him 10 min. Damn. Imagine him working on ur car? Labour will be multiplied 10 times

[@johncollins8304]

Disagree. He was generously donating his time for dumb asses like me not clever people like you.

[@antonijabrajkovic7078]

Hello, please tell me whether you have a problem with Golf 3 VR6 I think it is a temperature sensor but I'm not sure yet here I will briefly explain what's happening with the car, turn on my flashlight on the temperature after a while it turned off my car does not go as it should and sometimes goes mjenjao I pump fuel all possible and yet do it all made possible means that my car's not going because of this sensor, and it's still something we hoped fan cooling to 70 degrees: / please if you can help here is my fb profile thanks in advance to everyone. facebook.com/dragan.bra

[@fatnutsinyomouf8309]

Do you even English ? Sounds like he has a mouth full of marshmallows

[@guidosaur7506]

+Fatnuts Inyomouf Sounds fine to me

[@ConsoleGamingSucks]

+Fatnuts Inyomouf Because he has an accent ? so rude.

[@caraudiosolutions]

you're English grammar is appalling.

[@gelliohumberto5858]

There's always one in the bunch! :)

[@mikeyd19841]

I have a 99 vr6 afp and there are 2 sensors in the thermostat housing! What is the other sensor besides the coolant temp sensor?

[@Roger2465]

ECU

[@petergriffin1264]

Great video, very useful. One small thing fyi for future reference mate I think you mean "within parameters" not ""within perimeters".