Coolant Temperature Sensor/Switch (For Computer): Description and Operation

Engine Coolant Sensor:

Information concerning the engine operating temperature is supplied by the coolant temperature sensor which is located in the cylinder head (intake side). The sensor is a NTC type (negative temperature co-efficient) in which the resistance value of the sensor decreases as the temperature of the coolant increases. The resistance value produced by the sensor is used by the DME control unit to correct fuel injector opening time for cold starting and warm-up periods. If the sensor becomes defective (open circuit) the engine may run very rich until the DME control unit has time to implement a substitute value and an emergency run program.