Coolant Temp Sensor Fix???

[rsmithdrift]

Hey I searched and all I can find is about replacing, diagnossing, and locating the sensor.

Well I heard something the other day about cleaning it. I know mine is bad, but I can't afford to pay $40 right now to replace it.

So is it true you can clean it. The connection is clean and tight, so it's just not sending the right reading. Is there some way of cleaning the sensor element it'self, like taking it out and spraying it with carb cleaner or something, or am I screwed untill I can afford to replace it??

[penpen-commander]

just buy a new one.you can only find these at the dealers too, it has to do with emission so places like kragens won't have them because i guess it's a dealer item only.(?)

[180fan]

places like kragens will carry it for $17 (the 2 wire one that your ECU reads not the one that goes to the cluster). you can find them near your thermo housing.

[rsmithdrift]

Actually none of them have it. Auto zone, NAPA, Advanced, Oriely, Mainly foreign.......They all bring up the part number for the SOHC CTS sensor. And the 95+ has a different sized/shaped connector. So only the dealership has it.

That's why I want to see if I can fix the one I've got instead of paying NISSAN out the a$$ for their overpriced crap.

[babowc]

oem stuff are always expensive b/c its proven quality.anyways.. you can go to advanced auto and buy one for like 23 bux.. i had one but i returned it b/c i found out my CTS wasnt bad

[180fan]

Strange since I was able to get a cts for my old SOHC at kragens before. I'd have someone else run a part check.

[popogto]

i got mine at autozone and shaved the male side to fit the harness. lots cheaper than at the dealer

[rsmithdrift]

Did you guys see my post??

I said Autozone doesn't carry the 91-94 DOHC CTS sensor that I need. I checked at 5 different auto parts stores and they all bring up the SOHC sensor.

popogto......Does your car have a DOHC or SOHC???

[180fan]

The SR20DET CTS I'm using now is from a DOHC. I also got that at kragens. Seriously I think their parts guys are giving you the run around.

[HashiriyaS14]

I got a CTS for a '95 at Autozone, for what it's worth.

But yeah, in the meantime you may as well pull it and clean all the connections, can't hurt.

[penpen-commander]

hahaha.... sigh... funny.dealers carry the CTS. other stores carry the WTS.maybe they've been selling the water temp sensor to you guys.the CTS is a dealer product only item, seriously.if you have been buying it at stores like kragen and autozone, then it's really not a CTS. so i don't know what it is you guys are buying.i honestly wouldn't know, but i do know that the CTS is a dealer item only.

like I said, just buy it at the dealer.

[180fan]

CTS isn't just a dealer part. I've been through enough of them both from local shops and from the dealership to be able to tell.

[ath~muncher]

hahaha.... sigh... funny.dealers carry the CTS. other stores carry the WTS.maybe they've been selling the water temp sensor to you guys.the CTS is a dealer product only item, seriously.if you have been buying it at stores like kragen and autozone, then it's really not a CTS. so i don't know what it is you guys are buying.i honestly wouldn't know, but i do know that the CTS is a dealer item only.

like I said, just buy it at the dealer.

hahahah, horrible horrible information....

[penpen-commander]

^most likely.

[180fan]

penpen-commander are you one of Art's buddies by any chance?

[rsmithdrift]

Ok. I called the autozone just out of town and they had the right part. So I went and got it and replaced it. $25 after tax.

And WOW!!!!! I cannot believe how much stronger my car runs now. I was expecting it to get a few hp back and maybe a mpg or two. BUT DAMN!! It feels like I gained 10-15 hp and it broadened my powerband from 5200 - 6200, to 3500 - 6500. And it goes through the power band much smoother, no more surges and boggs.

If your car feels sluggish, boggy, hesitant, and is running slightly rich I'd recomend anybody replace this little bastard. (if you can find a new one that is)

[180fan]

ha ha ha awesome. glad you found the part.

[Jiggyfry]

Sounds like this could be a possible gremlin in my 91 ka24de. Ive been suffering from a power loss too and i noticed the connector is gunked up with some old white grease of some sorts. Gonna have to look into this. P.S thanks for posting some "after" results!

[24DSXY1]

This is the small red plug next to the throttle body, yes? I think mine's out too because I only feel a kick after 4500rpm, it's as if my 91' ka has vtec.

[ricebike]

guys, why don't you just check for trouble codes???

there's a trouble code for the CTS...

then you can unplug the wire & use an ohmmeter on the sensor itself; as it gets hotter, the ohms would drop so take a reading when cold... then start er up...let it idle for 10 min or so... take an ohm reading when warm... should be lower

PS: here's a pic of said sensors, the DOHC should be similar; i hi-jacked someone else's pic & labeled them


Modified by ricebike at 11:32 PM 10/9/2006

[NismoTypeX]

Also check the harness connector to cause I know mine got coroded really bad and the one of the wires actually seperated from the connector. And I work at Advanced Auto and the Cts is like 19$. Im thinkin the Coolant temp/sender (one wire sensor) is dealer part and should not effect engine performance