It's not recommended to unplug the coolant temperature sensor unless necessary for diagnostic purposes, as it can adversely affect engine operation and potentially cause damage if left unplugged for an extended period.
Q: Is it OK to drive without coolant temperature sensor? A: No, it is not recommended to drive without a coolant temperature sensor.
When you disconnect the thermistor it puts the fridge into a FULL cooling cycle. IF the fridge appears to be running, you have flame but the box is not cooling at all until you disconnect the thermistor, I would try a new thermistor, if that does not solve the problem then I would replace the circuit board.
Coolant temperature sensors are resistors and can't be reset. The engine control unit is the part that actually runs software and just takes information from the sensor. If you think you have a problem with your sensor, test its resistance by attaching it to a multimeter and submerging the sensor in hot water.
While sometimes a faulty sensor sends a permanent cold signal to the engine, it can also send a permanent hot signal. The computer will again miscalculate the signal and cause the engine to heat up instead of cooling it down. When this happens, the car might misfire, or it could lead to engine knocking.
In summary, unplugging the coolant temperature sensor can disrupt the engine's ability to adjust fuel and ignition timing properly, leading to potential misfiring, rough idling, and poor performance.
Inaccurate temperature readings:
A thermistor that is working properly senses temperature changes with pinpoint accuracy, whereas a malfunctioning one could give readings that are excessively high or low.
It is important to note that you can NOT do a continuity test on a thermistor.
If your coolant temperature sensor is failing or has failed, do not continue driving your vehicle. You should get it fixed right away. A faulty sensor can lead to overheating. This will cause damage to your engine as well as other components, which will be very expensive to fix.
The differance between the two is, the one in the intake controls the coolant gauge and the sensor at the thermostat housing provides information to the cars ecm to control fuel trim. The reason for confusion is on differant year model metros both sensors are contained at the thermostat housing.
Can You Drive Without Coolant? There is never a scenario where driving without coolant is a good idea. That's because any car without coolant will usually stop functioning within minutes, and it is more likely than not that you will need a complete engine replacement to be able to drive again.
In short, an air conditioning system cannot function properly without a sensor. AC sensors are vital for accurate temperature detection and control. Without them, the AC unit would not be able to gauge the indoor temperature or adjust its cooling output accordingly.
Mechanical stress: Excessive mechanical stress or vibration can damage the sensor's delicate components or connections, causing it to malfunction. Electrical overload: Overvoltage or electrical surges can damage the sensor's internal circuitry, leading to failure.
A bad ambient temperature air sensor hampers your vehicle's HVAC system. While it can't stop you from going for a drive, it can make the trip less comfortable, especially when it's freezing or scorching hot.
To test a temperature sensor with a multimeter, set it to measure resistance, clip one probe to an outer sensor connector and the other across from it. Submerge in hot then ice water, note readings after a few seconds - around 250 and 1000 ohms respectively.
A thermistor is a thermally sensitive resistor that exhibits a continuous, small, incremental change in resistance correlated to temperature variations. Thermocouples reflect proportional changes in temperature through the varying voltage created between two dissimilar metals electrically bonded together.
If your air conditioner starts blowing cold air in short bursts, you might have a problem with the thermistor. This small part measures the room temperature and tells your AC when to cool down or warm up. When it doesn't work right, your aircon can act strangely, like cooling too much or not enough.
Temperature sensors can last a long time, often several years, depending on their type and usage. For instance, thermocouples typically last 1 to 3 years, while RTDs can last 3 to 5 years with proper maintenance. In optimal conditions, some sensors might even last the lifetime of the equipment they are installed in.
If you unplug the sensor when the engine is cold the engine may run smoothly at first but as the engine warms up the a/f mix will become too rich and the engine will start misfiring and possibly stall.
And if the laser gun tells you the temperature is ok, you can drive with the bad sensor until you replace it. But monitor the temp regularly.
You can reset ambient air temperature sensor after removing it. You have to replace it if there is a sensor malfunctioning. Or find the reset button on it. There are Mode buttons on the sensor in some cars that allow you to do so.