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What happens if you break you ECT sensor, can I still drive my car?

  • Thread starter Thread starter BlueOvalStangGT
  • Start date Start date Dec 8, 2004

BlueOvalStangGT

Active Member
Oct 27, 2003
2,849
0
46
Tampa Florida....USF!!!
Dec 8, 2004
#1
  • Dec 8, 2004
  • #1
I was playing with my alternator and crack, broke off the coolant temp sensor. Can I drive my car to like school and then NAPA tomporow?
 

mo_dingo

20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 26, 2003
3,031
2
58
Tucson, AZ
Dec 8, 2004
#2
  • Dec 8, 2004
  • #2
I think with a sensor dead like that, you will go into KAM mode, or limp home mode.

The car should drive theoretically.

The computer won't know when the motor is warm, so it can't reach closed loop, so that is my guess.
Scott
 

BlueOvalStangGT

Active Member
Oct 27, 2003
2,849
0
46
Tampa Florida....USF!!!
Dec 8, 2004
#3
  • Dec 8, 2004
  • #3
I think my car was running in open loop anyways. What you said tho, when does the computer go from open>closed when its cold? I go to the track alot and I try to keep it as cold as possible and sometimes it will be completly cold when I race it, it cant be in open loop then can it?
 

Joes95GT

New Member
Jan 23, 2003
3,132
1
0
Delaware
Dec 8, 2004
#4
  • Dec 8, 2004
  • #4
Open loop is best for racing. It ignores the sensors and dumps as much fuel you need. The downsides of open loop is just that - it ignores the sensors. The car usually runs rich as hell in open loop. The car is in open loop during the first few minutes of start-up, until temperature is stablizied.

The car will drive, but you may dump a lot of gas in the process. If you haven't replaced your spark plugs in a while, you may want to look into doing that after you get your problems fixed. If the car runs rich for a long(er) period of time, it will wipe out the plugs.

Joe
 

BlueOvalStangGT

Active Member
Oct 27, 2003
2,849
0
46
Tampa Florida....USF!!!
Dec 8, 2004
#5
  • Dec 8, 2004
  • #5
Sweet, got a new coil, plugs,filter, dizy cap and a tweecer (almost) waiting for me once I do get this hunkajunk runnign good again. I WANT MY RELIABILITY BACK
 
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