Where is the ECTS (Engine Coolant Temp Sensor)

[chad878262]

Hoping someone can give me pictures or a video or something really clear because I have searched for several days and reached out to my brother who is a mechanic (but lives in a different State, so it's hard for him to explain it to me). My bro informed me that he looked on a service the company he works for has and the ECTS should be located above the oil filter, but I can't see it from under the hood or when I get under the car (and I did remove the plastic cover under the bumper, still can't find it).

Does anyone have any way of providing me help with finding where it is? My wife's car is due for inspection and it has an issue where the car says "engine hot, AC off" even when she starts it cold. It also has a code P0128, so I went and bought a new temp sensor and thermostat, figuring I would just change both, but I can't find them. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[far2grumpy]

I can provide service manual extracts but need engine type: 2.4, 3.5 or 3.6?

[chad878262]

whoops! It's a 3.6 L V6.

Thanks Far2Grumpy, much appreciated!

[far2grumpy]

Originally Posted by chad878262

whoops! It's a 3.6 L V6.

Thanks Far2Grumpy, much appreciated!

The FSM ECTS replacement extracts are too large to post so I've posted thumbnail ... ECTS is item 3 and mating connector is item 10.

Appears to be very near the oil dipstick.

I have files for ECTS and thermostat pulled and ready to email ... PM address if you want.

[fdryer]

Although my engine is a 3.0L V6, the same P0128 error code appeared a few years ago. The coolant sensor is fine (verified by displaying operating temps with a reader). For whatever reason, the t-stat was faulty and needed replacement. For my engine, it was a two day ordeal with many upper engine parts removed to access the t-stat.

There seems to be a few here with this error code and not relegated to one engine size.

[chad878262]

PM sent Far2Grumpy...

Thanks fdryer, but I'm going to go ahead and replace both as I think in this case the ECTS is the possible culprit. It reads the temp most of the time, but it has shown a "---" a few times as well. Not very happy to hear that the t-stat is going to be equally painful to the ECTS though. Why did they make these cars so difficult to work on? Working on my Sierra is a breeze, but when I have to do something on the wife's car (even changing the oil!) it always takes so much more time just because it's so difficult to get to everything. Honestly, is there a worse location for the oil filter on any car ever?

Again, thanks to both of you, will be taking another look at it when it get's light out in the morning.

[Wverrett]

Originally Posted by far2grumpy

I can provide service manual extracts but need engine type: 2.4, 3.5 or 3.6?

I have a 3.5 Saturn vue where is the sensor located for this model I can’t seem to find it

[kinless]

I know I'm bumping this thread after a while, but my dad and I are trying to locate the ECTS on a 2009 VUE Hybrid (2.4L). We've found general schematics but we're at a loss as to its exact location. Can anyone be of assistance?

[cle_47]

Does anyone know the location for a EÇTS on a 2008 Saturn Vue 3.5 L?

[ruley73]

Originally Posted by cle_47

Does anyone know the location for a EÇTS on a 2008 Saturn Vue 3.5 L?

Same engine.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vJk_3AWrUSE