I posted one picture here of the location of the ECTS:

http://www.nissanforums.com/showthread.php?t=78890

 

Here is another picture. The ECTS is close to the Idle Air Control Valve.

 

Ah.. so engine temp. sensor and engine coolant temp sensor are one in the same. Maybe thats why my temp. gauge never moves... Could that partially be my problem as to my hard starting and sluggish acceleration?

 

Ah.. so engine temp. sensor and engine coolant temp sensor are one in the same. Maybe thats why my temp. gauge never moves... Could that partially be my problem as to my hard starting and sluggish acceleration?

Yes^. Now I am not so familiar with this car, but it is very common on Saturns to have hard starting or other problems when the ECTS fails. If it is telling the computer the engine is cold, when it is hot, the computer will enrich the fuel mixture. That would cause hard starting and sluggish acceleration.

 

Here is the technical information on the ECTS:

The Engine Temperature Sensor monitors engine temperature via changes in coolant temperature.

It is located at the passenger's side of the intake manifold.

The Engine Temperature Sensor is a negative temperature co-efficient thermistor. The greater the temperature the lower the resistance. The sensor is exposed to coolant and heat from the coolant will cause the sensor to change resistance. If the ECM reads no voltage change in the sensor circuit (from a short or open) it will store a trouble code for the sensor.

 

Yes^. Now I am not so familiar with this car, but it is very common on Saturns to have hard starting or other problems when the ECTS fails. If it is telling the computer the engine is cold, when it is hot, the computer will enrich the fuel mixture. That would cause hard starting and sluggish acceleration.

Well.. it starts hard when its cold.... so I dunno if that'd apply or not. Kinda makes you wonder. but it may or may not be a problem, because the check engine light isn't on, just had that code in memory. From what I understand it will until something like 80 times after its 'good' again.

 

Well, I don't know for sure. I just know it can create havoc when it goes bad. I did read a post by someone who worked at a Nissan dealership. He meantioned that when it would get cold, and Sentra's started getting hard to start, they replaced the ECTS to solve the problem. Maybe it depends on how it fails and what info it sends to the computer. Also, the harness may need replacement or cleaning if corroded.

 

Well, I don't know for sure. I just know it can create havoc when it goes bad. I did read a post by someone who worked at a Nissan dealership. He meantioned that when it would get cold, and Sentra's started getting hard to start, they replaced the ECTS to solve the problem. Maybe it depends on how it fails and what info it sends to the computer. Also, the harness may need replacement or cleaning if corroded.

I'm sure I have one of those along with all those extra motor parts I have around... prolly swap them out and see what happens.

 

But if its toasted, not working, corroded, whatever.. thats definately why the temp gauge on the cluster doesn move right? Or is that gauge based off of another sensor?

 

As far as I can tell, that it runs off that sensor. I looked up in Alldata, and that was the only sensor I saw. Also, that would indicate it is bad. I will double check.

 

As far as I can tell, that it runs off that sensor. I looked up in Alldata, and that was the only sensor I saw. Also, that would indicate it is bad. I will double check.

Sounds like that could be the partial root to some of my troubles then. I can clean it up, test out the other/extra I have and prolly slap it on no problems. From what I recall of it it should be pretty straight forward but its too cold and windy to check now.

 

Looked up in my Haynes manual also. Says a failure in the coolant temperature sensor circuit should set a code 13. This code indicates a failure in the coolant temperature circuit, so in most cases the appropriate solution to the problem will be either repair of a wire or replacement of a sensor.

 

Simple enough. Then I can clear the code out of the ECU and hopefully eliminate some problems.

 

Here is the test for one that is removed:

Immerse sensor in water at specified temperatures and check resistance with an ohm meter. Resitance should decrease as temperature increases.

TEMPERATURE: 68°F (20°C)
Resistance: 2.3 - 2.7 K ohms
TEMPERATURE: 94°F (90°C)
Resistance: .24 - 0.26 K ohms
TEMPERATURE: 230°F (110°C)
Resistance: 0.14 - 0.15 K ohms

Replace the sensor if it fails the above test.

 

ECTS is a red plug located on the pass. side of the motor on the intake right?? Its not on the cylinder head??

 

That has got to be it. I looked on my car. Next to it is the air bleed bolt for antifreeze. My plug was red.

 

Catman.. you da man... just came back in from swapping it out. I took the one off my old intake and worked it out of the intake in the motor. Quite a trick when all u have is a 19mm open end wrench cuz all your real tools are at work. Turned it vertically and stuck a wrench in the boxend side like a handle and popped it back off. it was terribly corroded unlike the other one I put in. Got the new one installed and the ECU is spitting out a code 5-5 or 55 now. Stuck the key in the car and turned it over about half a crank and it fired right off.

I think its fixed....

Beers for Lshadoff, Catman, and of course Nostra!
:cheers:

 

That is great! Usually I am not able to be that helpful. Nice to hear of success! As far the beer, Lshadoff and Nostra can have my share. I have not had one for about 25 years. :cheers:

 

No beer here.. but Mountain Dew on the other hand... I'll take two!

Thanks again! I just hope it works lol

 

Ill take a non alchoholic beverage also.......lol

 

A non-alcoholic beverage it is for Nostra too!

I went out and tried to start the sentra this morning and it fired right off! Guess it wasn't a cruel joke that it was playing on me and I really did fix it! lol

I learned some things that I thought I'd pass along to others:

1. Never give up! I was about an inch away from lighting the car on fire before we figured out what the problem is/was. Saved me lots of money, and the satisfaction of fixing my own car.

2. Even though I never had a CE light come on, I tried to pull codes anyway. Although a slight pain in the a$$ here in the cold Iowa weather, it paid off and told me what was wrong.

3. That 'search' button is your friend. It involves work, but you'll alot of the times get your answer much quicker.

4. You can't find every single answer using the search, then ASK THE QUESTION! There are lots of knowledgeable ppl on the forums to help you. Whether by posting, or tracking them down on AIM.

Just my .02 worth though

 

Great advise for the new people. Im just so happy to hear you finally fixed it. now you wont keep hitting me up on aim every other hour with a new question......hahaha

 

Just for that focker I'm gonna hit ya up with completely random questions! lol