00 SL2 Temperature Gauge

[zulaya]

Hi!

Driving home tonight, I noticed my engine revving higher than normal. I started watching it and when it happened, my Temperature Gauge appeared to have died.

I started watching my temperature gauge and every time the gauge dropped to "zero" or "died" the engine would rev slightly higher for the same speed.

Turned on the cruise control and the same thing happened.

Any clue as to where to start with diagnosing/fixing this odd issue?

Thanks!

Mary

[fdryer]

Replace the coolant sensor ASAP! It serves two purposes; to send the temperature data to the engine computer that adjusts for air/fuel mixtures while also sending the coolant temperature to the temperature gauge. The pcm (engine computer) needs it for everything. Yours is probably the old faulty plastic one. Brass is the replacement. Buy it from any auto store. Its a 5-minute replacement, next to the egr valve.

[zulaya]

coolant sensor == ECTS (Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor), right?

Thanks!

Mary

[quantumech]

Originally Posted by zulaya

coolant sensor == ECTS (Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor), right?

Thanks!

Mary

Yes, that is correct.

[Signmaster]

Originally Posted by zulaya

coolant sensor == ECTS (Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor), right?

Thanks!

Mary

That's the one, known to cause all sorts of issues on an S-Series Saturn!

[DonP]

Check the first few sticky threads in the How-to Library forum for a lot more on the ECTS. When checking it, also check the connector for corrosion that may be preventing good contact. If you have to original resin tipped sensor, replace as a preventive measure, even if it looks OK now. It will fail eventually.