It’s that time of year again – colder days and nights, leaves falling from the trees, and the dreaded “car not starting” message. Unfortunately, this isn’t just an autumn problem – it can happen at any time of the year. In this article, we’ll show you how to troubleshoot and fix a car that won’t start due to a frozen battery or dead starter.
A Brief History of Car Coolant
The first car was built in 1885 by Karl Benz. His vehicle had an engine that used water as its cooling medium.
In the 1920s, antifreeze was invented by Charles Kettering and using it in cars became commonplace.
In 1954, a thermosiphon system was used to cool a Ford Pinto’s engine.
In 1985, Bosch introduced a system that used tiny fans to dissipate heat from the engine.
The modern car cooling system was developed in the early 1990s by Toyota and Nissan. They developed the recirculating ball technology which uses a series of rubber balls to circulate air around the vehicle’s cylinder heads and then out through the exhaust pipe.
How a Coolant Temp Sensor Works
A coolant temp sensor is an electronic device that monitors the temperature of a car’s engine coolant. If the coolant gets too hot, the sensor will send a signal to the car’s computer, telling it to stop or slow down. This can prevent your car from starting if the engine is overheated.
The coolant temp sensor usually resides in or near the radiator. When the engine is cold, the coolant circulates through the radiator at a relatively constant temperature. However, as the engine warms up, the cooler liquid gradually sinks to the bottom of the radiator. The sensor measures this gradual change in temperature and uses it to generate a warning signal.
Types of Coolant Sensors
A car’s cooling system is essential to keeping the engine running at optimal temperature. A failed or defective coolant sensor can cause the car to not start, which can be a nuisance. In this article, we’ll take a look at the different types of sensors and their purposes.
Thermostat Sensors
A thermostat sensor monitors the temperature of the engine coolant and sends a signal to the car’s computer when it reaches a preset temperature. If the coolant isn’t reaching that temperature, the car will turn on its AC compressor to get the coolant up to temps. This type of sensor is typically replaced when there’s a problem with the thermostat itself.
Coolant Temp Sensor
This sensor monitors the temperature of the engine coolant and sends a signal to the car’s computer whenever it dips below a certain level. This type of sensor is typically installed near where the engine water pump is located. If there’s a leak in this area, it could cause low coolant levels, which would trigger the sensor to send an alert to the computer.
Cooling System Pressure Sensor
This sensor monitors pressure in the cooling system and sends a signal to the car’s computer whenever it
Pros and Cons of a Coolant Temp Sensor
There are pros and cons to having a coolant temp sensor in a car. On the pro side, these sensors can help prevent unexpected car failures by monitoring the coolant temperature. If the coolant temperature is too high, the car will not start. On the con side, some people believe that these sensors are unnecessary and only add to the car’s complexity.
Installation of a Coolant Temp Sensor
Picture this scenario: You’ve just finished work and you’re getting ready to head home. As you start your car, it won’t start. After trying a few times, you realize that the car won’t start because the temperature sensor is not reading the correct temperature.
What could be causing this issue? It could be that the coolant has been overheating and the sensor is attempting to compensate by shutting down the engine. Or, it could be due to a plugged radiator or a bad thermostat. In either case, if you have a coolant temp sensor installed on your car, you can prevent these issues from happening in the first place by installing and calibrating it properly.
Installation of a coolant temp sensor is relatively easy. All you need are some basic tools, including a Phillips head screwdriver and a wrench. Here is what you will need to do:
1) Start by removing the door panel on the side of your car that houses the cooling system. This can be done by removing two screws located at the top and bottom of the panel. Once it is removed, simply pull it off.
2) Next, locate the coolant temp sensor in question
Conclusion
One of the most common problems with cars is that they will not start. This can be due to a variety of reasons, but often times it is due to a coolant temperature sensor reading too high. By checking these sensors regularly and fixing any issues that might be causing them to fail, you can help your car start up on even the coldest days. If you are experiencing this problem yourself, don’t hesitate to reach out for help from a qualified mechanic.