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Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor - Wikipedia

The coolant temperature sensor measures the temperature of the engine coolant and sends readings to the engine control unit. The ECU uses this data to adjust fuel injection and ignition timing to suit the engine temperature. As the sensor's temperature changes, its resistance changes - most are negative temperature coefficient sensors where resistance decreases as temperature rises. The ECU sends a reference voltage to the sensor and calculates the temperature based on the voltage drop across the sensor.

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1K views

Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor - Wikipedia

The coolant temperature sensor measures the temperature of the engine coolant and sends readings to the engine control unit. The ECU uses this data to adjust fuel injection and ignition timing to suit the engine temperature. As the sensor's temperature changes, its resistance changes - most are negative temperature coefficient sensors where resistance decreases as temperature rises. The ECU sends a reference voltage to the sensor and calculates the temperature based on the voltage drop across the sensor.

Uploaded by

Mohan Preeth
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Engine coolant

temperature sensor
Page issues

The coolant temperature sensor is used


to measure the temperature of the
engine coolant of an internal combustion
engine. The readings from this sensor
are then fed back to the engine control
unit (ECU), which uses this data to adjust
the fuel injection and ignition timing. On
some vehicles the sensor may also be
used to switch on the electric cooling
fan. The data may also be used to
provide readings for a coolant
temperature gauge on the dashboard.

Types of sensor
As the sensor's temperature changes, its
resistance changes accordingly.
Depending on the type of sensor, the
resistance will either increase or
decrease.

In negative temperature coefficient


(NTC) sensors, the internal resistance
will decrease as the temperature rises
(and vice versa).
In a positive temperature coefficient
(PTC) sensor, the opposite is true. Its
resistance will increase with rising
temperature.

Most automotive coolant temperature


sensors are NTC sensors.

Operation
The ECU sends out a regulated reference
voltage (typically 5 volts) to the coolant
temperature sensor. The voltage drop
across the sensor will change according
to the temperature because its
resistance changes. The ECU is then able
to calculate the temperature of the
engine, and then (with inputs from other
engine sensors) uses lookup tables to
carry out adjustments to the engine
actuators, i.e. change the fuel injection or
ignition timing.

This is necessary because in order to run


smoothly, a cold engine requires
different timing and fuel mixture than an
engine at operating temperature.

See also
Air-fuel ratio meter
Crankshaft position sensor
Hall effect sensor, used to time the
speed of wheels and shafts.
MAP sensor, Manifold Absolute
Pressure, used in regulating fuel
metering.
Mass flow sensor, or mass airflow
(MAF) sensor, used to tell the ECU the
mass of air entering the engine.
Oxygen sensor, used to monitor the
amount of oxygen in the exhaust.
Throttle position sensor, used to
monitor the position of the throttle in
an internal combustion engine.

References

External links
Engine Coolant Sensors

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