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#1 | ||||
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Long Island,NY
Posts: 1,619
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![]() This is how I changed my coolant temp sensor in a 1995 SL2 Twin Cam with auto tranny and ABS.
I bought the sensor from a Saturn dealer,this way I got the special threadlocker on it already to install.I would not buy an aftermarket version of this part because of this. DISCLAIMER!:I just took pictures of what I did one day. I don't suggest you actually try this at home yourself.Hire a real mechanic.I am not responsible if you try this and get hurt or ruin your car doing this! First I made sure the car is DEAD COLD!You can't do this with hot antifreeze,it will burn a guy badly! BEWARE THE AIRBAG SENSORS!: If I have an older Saturn I would notice two stickers on the black metal front frame.I don't bang stuff there! Ice cold engine off , I opened the hood. I unclip the 4 airbox clips by the radiator end of the intake. ![]() I Squeezed together the two prongs of the spring clip that holds the intake to the throttle body. It locked open to allow removal from the throttle body.That clip stays on,BTW. ![]() I removed the breather hose from the valve cover.Then remove the plastic intake. ![]() I Found the ECTS under the EGR valve.Some cars have two sensors,it's the lower back one I could not even see.I had to feel for the two "high" spots on the connector bell and squeez/pull to get it off.See below later on details how this is done. ![]() Last edited by auxmike; 07-03-2004 at 09:58 PM..
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#2 | ||||
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Long Island,NY
Posts: 1,619
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![]() After I got the connector off,this is how it looked in the car.I could'n't see this so I stuffed the camera in there.
![]() I used a 13mm deep socket to unscrew the old sensor,1/4 inch drive preferred.I didn't unscrew it all the way though! ![]() I quick unscrewed the connector the rest of the way by hand,then had the other new sensor in hand ready to screw in.Coolant WILL come out of the hole,so the quicker I got that new one started ,the less a mess I had.Note the red stuff on the threads.That's the VERY important threadlocker that comes on the dealer part. ![]() Tightened down the new sensor with the 13mm socket.Spec is 71 INCH pounds,that's not a lot!I did not overtighten,but didn't leave it so it will wiggle out later either. I just turned it till it felt snug enough to stay put.Their is threadlocker on the dealer part sensor,red stuff. ![]() Last edited by auxmike; 07-03-2004 at 10:01 PM..
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#3 | ||||
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Long Island,NY
Posts: 1,619
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![]() I Checked old sensor and connector.If the connector is slimey inside,one might want to buy a new one.This is optional,but recommended if one has green slime in connector.
![]() Here's the connector pack I can buy from the dealer,cost $26,comes with instructions. ![]() Here's new all brass next to old cracked brown resin ECTS.What's that PCV valve doing in there? ![]() This is how the sensor goes in/out.I squeeze it on the black just above where my thumb is.I did'nt squeeze the longer "horns".They are part of the locking system.This is the sensor resting in position. ![]()
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#4 | ||||
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Long Island,NY
Posts: 1,619
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![]() This is the sensor locked in.Note how the "Flats" on the brown part lines up with the black part you squeeze.
![]() I couldn't see any of this,so I had to feel it to get it back on right,the connector that is. Thus the illustration outside of the hidden area it resides in. Once the sensor is in and connector reattached,reinstalled the intake. ![]() I gently squeezed again the spring clips at the throttle body while pressing down the lock tab with a screwdriver.Eased off the clips gently. ![]() Pressed closed the 4 clips for the airbox. ![]() Checked the antifreeze level,topped off if needed.Checked for any tools left around engine bay or hood! Started car,checked for any leaks. This is what I did today,thought you might like to see. Remember,this is show and tell,I'm not teling you to try this yourself.
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#5 | ||||
Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Spring Hill, TN
Posts: 251
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![]() THANK YOU!
I need to replace mine on my 96 SL2. This will help me tremendously! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! GREAT JOB!!!!
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#6 | ||||
Master Member
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![]() Beautiful! Thanks for the great picks and directions!
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#7 | ||||
Advanced Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MO.
Posts: 601
1998 SL2
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![]() Very good information,THANKYOU!
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#8 | ||||
Super Member
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![]() Very good pictures. I will only interject that the sensor with the SINGLE yellow wire going to it that IS visable in all those pictures is NOT the ECTS. That is the sensor for the GAUGE in 95' and earlier cars. If you look at the picture where the poster is using the ratchet wrench with the extension on it, it kinda points (as he is tightening it in the picture) to where the ECTS IS, BELOW and to the RIGHT of where the one wire gauge sensor that can be seen in the pictures is located. 96' and UP cars will NOT have the gauge sensor visable in these photos so there is no chance of making an error and removing the wrong one.
... Old Saturns never die, people KILL them, so check your damn oil! "Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." Albert Einstein
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#9 | ||||
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Long Island,NY
Posts: 1,619
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![]() Thanks Wolf!
Yes,it's the two wire.I would hope folks would realise that by the way I mentioned you can't really see it. Any advice just how tight to go for the 99% of people out there who don't have a torque wrench in inch lbs.? I don't like to hammer it all the way home due to the fact it's brass and dished at the end.When I feel resistance,I ease up on it.The threadlocker seems to hold it still quite well.
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#10 | ||||
Super Member
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![]() The "feel" of a fully seated ECTS is very similiar to a spark plug. When you feel the resistance increase to the point that you can no longer turn it by hand, THEN carefully use the socket wrench to continue. When you feel a marked increase in resistance to turning the wrench, about another 1/2 turn MAX will do. DO NOT wrench it down with all your strength. You can also pull off the socket and feel for the gap between the hex head of the sensor and the engine. When that gap is gone, the sensor is fully bottomed. I wish your excellant pictures had been added to the "How To" instructions I had posted months ago...they would work quite well hand in hand, though your instructions are right on the money.
... Old Saturns never die, people KILL them, so check your damn oil! "Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." Albert Einstein
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#11 | ||||
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Long Island,NY
Posts: 1,619
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![]() Wolf,feel free to "steal" my pics and add them to your description as you see fit.Not a problem.
All I ask is credit for the pics. Mi casa es Su casa! ![]()
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#12 | ||||
Master Member
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![]() I feel handy!! I just did this all by myself. First time I've ever done something mechanic-ish on my car without my brother's supervision. Thanks for the pics, they were a great help!!
... 13 Chevy Equinox, 46k, built in Spring Hill! 04 VUE 3.5, 196k 99 SL2 Homecoming, 211k
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#13 | ||||
Master Member
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![]() ttt
Can one of the moderators please make this thread a sticky? ![]() (Same for wolfman's ECTS thread.) Thanks.
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#14 | ||||
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: fargo nd
Posts: 29
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![]() quik question. the etcs on my 93 saturn is brass with a black plastic end. which one is this? old or new style, or aftermarket ? ty
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#15 | ||||
Master Member
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![]() thats the new and improved style.
... Formerly - Saturn of Downers Grove Parts Department Current - Castle Chevy in Villa Park Parts Department EPA 608 Certification EPA 609 Certification
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#16 | ||||
Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: GURNEE IL
Posts: 110
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![]() I tried this BUT at the last step I couldn't get the conector on right now it read nothing on my temp gauge....
![]() Ryan
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#17 | ||||
Master Member
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![]() i know it doesn't look directional, but i'm sure it is, try fliping it 180 degrees
... Formerly - Saturn of Downers Grove Parts Department Current - Castle Chevy in Villa Park Parts Department EPA 608 Certification EPA 609 Certification
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#18 | |||||
Master Member
![]() Join Date: May 2002
Location: Laguna Bch, CA
Posts: 4,159
1995 SL2
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![]() Quote:
![]() ... > 95 SL 2 = 653,369 Miles 40.4 MPG, as of 5/20/11. My manual Radiator Fan Switch, courtesy of Wolfman's patient installation guidance, continues to be.......invaluable < The car was retired
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#19 | ||||
Member
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![]() Awesome auxmike! I need to do this on my car and I don't think we even have a 13 mm socket let alone a deep well. Thanks for the how-to.
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#20 | ||||
Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 52
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![]() We just got our ECTS in for her 96 SC1 5spd. How much do these instructions vary from that? Anything else to look out for? Is this something we can do on our own?
... 2003 Twilight Blue ZX3 1996 White SC1 - Hers
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Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Changing the ECTS (Engine Coolant Temp Sensor) | wolfman | How-To Library | 93 | 11-07-2005 11:58 AM |
ECTS and Temp Gauge Sensor Wiring | WingsOfSaturn | S-Series Tech | 7 | 10-22-2005 09:45 PM |
Ref Mike's "How-To" : Change the ECTS Coolant Temp Sensor w/pics! | Luke | S-Series Tech | 2 | 06-20-2005 01:19 AM |
Does anyone now if the sensor on the transaxle is the same as the coolant temp sensor | BigDaddyDrex1 | S-Series General | 4 | 05-27-2005 02:29 PM |
Here's my famous cracked Coolant Temp Sensor Scan {ECTS} | auxmike | S-Series Tech | 36 | 01-30-2005 01:17 PM |