How long does a temperature switch last?

Often, the engine coolant temperature sensor must be replaced at about 100,000 miles. If you don't properly maintain the engine cooling system, the sensor could fail much earlier.

Do temperature switches go bad?

At times, the coolant temperature switch may fail such that it starts transmitting hot signals permanently. This causes the computer to erroneously counterbalance the signal, thereby causing the engine to misfire or overheat.

How do I know if my temperature switch is bad?

If your vehicle starts to use a lot more gasoline than usual, or black smoke is starting to come from the exhaust pipe, these are indicators that the coolant temperature sensor in your vehicle could be defective, and needs to be replaced.

Can I drive car with faulty temperature sensor?

If your coolant temperature sensor is failing or has failed, do not continue driving your vehicle. You should get it fixed right away. A faulty sensor can lead to overheating. This will cause damage to your engine as well as other components, which will be very expensive to fix.

What causes a temperature sensor to go bad?

Why? Because the seals of most sensors are not designed to withstand the severe material contraction that occurs at low temperatures. Contraction results in high failure rates of the seals and may allow trace amounts of moisture to bypass the seals and penetrate into the sensor.

Most Common Symptoms of Bad Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor | Signs of failing ECT sensor

How much does it cost to replace a temperature switch?

Parts cost on average $23.29 - $28.47, and services cost $109.74 - $134.13. This repair takes on average 0.93h - 1.14h for a mechanic to complete. If your vehicle's coolant temperature switch or sensor malfunctions, you will need a mechanic to replace this part with a new one.

How do I know if my temperature sensor is working?

Look online for the hot and cold readings of your vehicle's temperature sensor — or check the car's manual — and compare your readings to see if they closely match. If they do, your sensor is functioning properly and you may have an issue elsewhere. If not, you'll need to replace your sensor.

What happens if a coolant temperature sensor fails?

If the coolant temperature sensor malfunctions, it could cause your car engine to get overheated. While sometimes a faulty sensor sends a permanent cold signal to the engine, it can also send a permanent hot signal.

Is there a fuse for coolant temperature sensor?

There will be a fused wire with voltage to the instrument cluster (your owners manual should indicate which fuse), but the temperature sensor is providing a variable "resistance to ground," which the temperature gauge in the dash is reflecting.

Can a temp sensor affect engine starting?

The sensor will not cause a no start.

How long should a temperature sensor last?

Often, the engine coolant temperature sensor must be replaced at about 100,000 miles. If you don't properly maintain the engine cooling system, the sensor could fail much earlier.

Does the coolant temp sensor control the fan?

On most modern cars, the cooling fan is controlled by the Engine Control Unit (ECU) which gets a signal from the coolant temperature sensor. If it's not working, the fan won't turn on when it needs to, which means the engine might overheat.

What can affect a temperature sensor?

Electrical connection: The choice of electrical lead materials and gauge size affect the amount of heat conducted into the system and to the sensor. If leads are not properly heat sunk, they will introduce a heat load into the sensor. This affects the sensor's measurement and can also affect the sample.

How long does it take to change a temperature sensor?

This repair takes on average 0.93h - 1.14h for a mechanic to complete. If your vehicle's coolant temperature switch or sensor malfunctions, you will need a mechanic to replace this part with a new one. Otherwise, your engine could risk overheating, causing severe damage to your car.

Will temperature sensor throw a code?

In most cases, a bad coolant temperature sensor will throw a Check Engine Light and produce a trouble code indicating the temp sensor is bad.

How much does a temperature sensor cost?

The national cost for a coolant temperature sensor replacement in 2023 is between $55 and $188 with an average of $115.

Is there a code for a bad thermostat?

While there is a small chance that there is an issue with the running temperature of your engine, by far the most common issue with trouble code P0128 is a faulty thermostat. The exact location of the thermostat and issues related to a damaged thermostat may vary depending on your vehicle.

Is coolant sensor and temperature sensor the same?

The coolant temperature sensor, also known as the coolant temperature switch, is an engine management system sensor that is used to monitor the temperature of the engine's coolant.

Is the thermostat and thermostat sensor the same thing?

A temperature sensor can help if you're consistently too cold or too warm in a room in your home. A thermostat only measures the temperature in the room that it's in. It heats or cools your entire home based on that temperature, even if it's different from the rooms where you spend the most time.

How do I know if a sensor needs replacing?

Can a temp sensor affect idle?

The fault with a coolant sensor can manifest in two ways- A coolant temperature sensor that always reads cold may cause the fuel management system to mix fuel with less oxygen and waste fuel. On the other hand, a sensor that always reads hot can cause problems such as stalling, hick-ups, and rough idling.

What is the code for coolant temperature sensor?

The P0118 code refers to issues with the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) circuit and its accompanying sensor. The ECT is a thermistor, or an electrical resistor, whose resistance is significantly reduced by heating. The ECT is located in the coolant passage in your engine's cylinder head.