My question is would a bad temp sensor keep a truck from passing smog? Perhaps keeping the mixture too rich. Wanna know before I take it in for round two.

Thanks,
James

 

It shouldn't, my sensor was bad, and after i replaced it my truck still had ****ty gas milage, so i don't think it would effect fuel mixture, just the trucks cooling system, but if its bad you might as well replace it, i think its only 16 dollars at advance, you trucks almost as old as mine so it could probably use one.

 

Ford Fuel Injection Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor (ECT) It sure will. It helps to adjust your air/fuel ratio.

 

huh thats interesting, just antother reason to dislike EFI engines even more, stupid sensors lol

 

Seems that their alot like women, can't live with them,can't live without them.

 

haha, there you go, thats pretty funny :D

 

Good to know, I did replace both so I'll just hope thats the problem. Can anyone recommend a cheap OBDI reader? I read the whole guide on how to record and interpret the code but I'm lazy and wouldn't mind having a cheap OBD reader in the garage.

Thanks,
James

 

well, mine only cost like 32 dollars from advance, solved the problem i was having, so it was worth it

 

There should be two coolant temp sensors...i may be mistaken but one for the PCM and one for the gauge. The one for the PCM lets the PCM know when the engine is at operating temp so it can switch the fuel trim into closed loop and start receiving feedback fromt he oxygen sensors....changing fuel ratio

 

correct & alot more.

 

Passed Smog!

Thanks guys, I'm new to this forum but already liking it. Very helpful place.

 

Hi guys Im new, but have a question. So what would happen if the PCM sensor was bad exactly? Say the Sender is working fine and the ECT sensor is bad. I was working on my thermostat housing (replacement actually) and pulled the wires out of the connector to the ECT sensor NOT Sender. Any help would be appreciated!!!

 

Fuel economy will suffer thats about it. Just replace the sensor you will pay for it in fuel costs later!