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  #1  
Old 10-10-2003, 11:36 PM
6evil9
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Question Bad temperature sensor??!!??

Hi i ve got funny problem, my temperature never goes more then 1/3 of the scale
and its usually just above the cold mark and does not matter how long i drive...well it used be exactly on the half...

so is it bad temperature sensor?
addition, engine dont seem to be cold at all, fans turn on if im on parking with engine on for about 3-5 mins and thermostat was changed less then a year ago...

so how can i locate the temperature sensor and any way to check it ?? ( yeah i've got voltmeter and some skills )

cheers
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  #2  
Old 10-11-2003, 06:05 AM
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thumper_svx thumper_svx is offline
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Could well be a stuck open thermostat... I had that problem on an Escort I own last year and I thought it was a little odd. Then I got to winter... and the lack of heat in the car became an issue pretty rapidly once the white stuff began to accumulate!

Check the therm... even if it looks closed it might not be (my Escort's looked closed even when I pulled it out... but replacing it did the trick).

More likely to be the therm than the guage or any of the related hardware.

Hope this helps!
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  #3  
Old 10-11-2003, 01:35 PM
gl1674 gl1674 is offline
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I've had exactly the same problem on my first car. Turned out the thermostat was missing.
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  #4  
Old 10-12-2003, 06:08 AM
6evil9
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so how do i check thermostat?

hey

tips to check thermostat if it works or not?


well another problem, why i started to think its actual temperature sensor is that i have rough idle as well, which is the main issue...so im trying to find the reason for that

so thought of checking every possible cause and dont replace anything until im sure whats wrong...

so far on to do list its pcv and temperature sensor...


so ways to check thermostat and temperature sensor itself
and i dont have any check engine code.....
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  #5  
Old 10-12-2003, 04:11 PM
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Trevor Trevor is offline
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Hi again Sergi,

You can check the thermostat if you remove it. It is under the elbow which connects the water hose to the water pump. Two bolts to remove.

Put the thermostat in a jug and boil the water and observe. The diaphragm should start to open at 76 - 80 deg. C. and be fully open at 91 deg. C. You should be able to judge this within reason. Your problem would indicate that yours could be stuck open.

This is not an expensive item to replace and if in doubt you should do so. A low operating temperature level could very well be the basis of your idling problem so you must fix it.

Only after proving that the thermostat is OK should you suspect your temperature gauge and attendant sensor.

You should also check your radiator cap which should be holding a minimum pressure of 69 kPa (10 psi ). Take care steam and or hot water can be dangerous ! At the same time if and I stress if, you are careful (hold a thick rag over the cap and ease it open first with the engine not up to full temperature) you will be able to get an idea of the true operating temperature. N.B. I take no responsibility in regard to this exercise which requires absolute care and an understanding of what you are doing.

Regards. Trevor.
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Last edited by Trevor; 10-12-2003 at 04:40 PM.
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  #6  
Old 10-13-2003, 01:59 PM
SVXer95 SVXer95 is offline
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A bad temp sensor can cause rough idle. Is your CE light on, or does it come on sometimes and go back off? If so run the self diagnostic and see what codes pop up.
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