My coolant temp sensor has gone out and I can't seem to find. Does anyone know where it is?

 

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First, welcome to FTE!

What engine do you have? There are 2 coolant temp sensors, one for the temp gauge, and one for the PCM. The sensor for the gauge will have a single wire connector, the PCM temp sensor will have a 2 wire connector.
Both should be close to the thermostat housing....

 

i have a 2.3l. thanks for the help

 

You're in luck. I just replaced mine today, but it didn't solve my problem. I feel your pain trying to find it. Had to have the dealership fax me a diagram, and you'd probably never figure it out without some direction. It's very difficult to get to however. I have a 2001 with the 2.3l, so things ought to be the same. On the passenger side of the vehicle, follow the radiator hose, which actually ends up being a hard pipe at some point. Follow the pipe all the way back to where it turns toward the center of the vehicle. This happens right beind where all of the heater hoses are plumbed into. The pipe will turn and disappear behind the engine, between the engine and cowl. The sensor is mounted just after the 90 degree bend on a boss on top of the pipe, and is actually angled slightly towards the driver's side. It's hard to see, and the work is done by feel. After actually finding it, your second challenge is just getting the darn connector off. You need to be able to grasp it to depress the locking tab and then pull up to remove. My hands were too big to do all this at once, and my wife actually got it for me. Next, you'll need a 3/4" deep socket, a universal joint, and a long extension or two to get it out.
Good luck.

FYI, my temp gage wasn't working before, and actually threw a PO125 code (Autozone scans for free), which means that there wasn't info from the sensor indicating that the engine had warmed up to closed loop mode in the allotted time. After installing the new sensor, the gage still doesn't move. I will change my thermostat next, as it could be stuck open, never allowing the engine to reach operating temperature, so I don't know which one you want to try first, the thermostat or the temp sensor. The third possibility is that there's a short somewhere in the harness between the sensor and the ECM. Wouldn't be the gage cluster itself since the code was thrown. The thermostat looks like it could be easier to change. It's located where the lower radiator hose meets the block on the driver's side. The temp sensor wasn't too messy, just a few drops of coolant, since it's on top. The thermostat will require that you make a big mess or drain the coolant.

Regards.
Jared Bosch

 

Welcome Jared....

 

Awesome write up Jared, nice one!