BIG hats off to s13sr20chris!!!!!

[pmkls2]

Well, I posted this subject in this forum because it should help a lot of those with driveability probs who dont normally go to the nissan online mechanic forum. I have owned a '90 s13 since sept 2002 and have put about 65k miles on it in that amount of time. Since Ive owned my car i have done a dozen tune-ups, removed the aiv, and replaced the TPS, coolant sensor, o2 sensor several times, did a timing chain job,ran a second ground for the MAF, and ran all sorts of stuff through my gas and through the intake to clean the motor. After having done all of these things my gas mileage still went downhill and so did my performance and driveability. After having had a chat with chris a long time ago and reading a recent post that now has become a sticky in the online mechanic forum I decided to take a look at my coolant sensor connector. After close inspection I found that the terminals inside the connector were pretty corroded and they had actually corroded my new sensor. I took a trip over to the nissan store (which happens to be right next door to my dealership) and was informed that they couldnt get me any type of connector. Luckily I found a connector that I could use with a little modification and replaced the old one on the car. I also cleaned the terminals on the sensor very thoroughly (although I'd recommend replacing it altogether). The results are astounding, my car starts a lot faster in the cold weather, the gas mileage has increased a lot, the "flat spot" when shifting gears is gone, and the all around driveability is much better. The car is driving like it did when I bought it fir the first time in 2 years. So, to make a very long story short, never overlook the small things like wiring and connectors and thanks a bunch to chris for the infinite wisdom he provides us with. I hope that this info finds some of you other guys who are experiencing the same problems as me and I know you are out there because I have seen the posts lol........

[popogto]

where is the coolant sensor?

[pmkls2]

located in the front of the intake manifold close to the valve cover it should have a red connector with 2 wires

[deathkeeper]

My coolant temperature sensor harness connector was also corroded, and I replaced it with one from the dealership. They have the connector with the pigtail for about $18.

[pmkls2]

hmmmm, see, I would think that you could get one but they searched the parts computer and said they couldnt find it, could you possibly supply us with a part number for future reference ?

[pmkls2]

I still havent had any luck locating a factory pigtail. If anybody can locate a part number something that would be great...........

[rawill240sx]

I'm glad you posted this....I'm seeing the exact same behavior out of my car, maybe this will fix it.

[pmkls2]

it never hurts to check, dont forget to check all your connectors not just the coolant sensor..........

[gumby]

corroded connectors account for alot of issues and yes chris is the man

[pmkls2]

Yes they do gumby but I think that a lot of us, including myself, kinda drift away from the fundamentals like checking connections sometimes. That was sort of my reason for this post was to remind people not to forget the basics because sometimes you think that if the problem is big then so must be the cause but thats not always the case...........

[fightinchunk]

can anyone post a pic of this coolant sensor? is this sensor in the same location for all cars?

[pmkls2]

Ill try to get a pic posted asap, and Im not sure about the location on a DE engine but I think its in about the same place