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What happens if you break your ECT sensor? Can I still drive my car?

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

BlueOvalStangGT

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Oct 27, 2003
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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?
 
S

SlowGT

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Jun 17, 1999
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Columbia Co, PA
Dec 8, 2004
#2
  • Dec 8, 2004
  • #2
It's driveable, but the computer will never see that the engine is at NOT so it won't change the fuel/timing curves.
 

BlueOvalStangGT

Active Member
Oct 27, 2003
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Dec 8, 2004
#3
  • Dec 8, 2004
  • #3
So is that gonna kill gas mileage?
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
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129
Dec 8, 2004
#4
  • Dec 8, 2004
  • #4
do definately get it fixed. you will run semi limp in open loop for a bit. once the lambdas light off, the puter might be able to use MAF and lambda input to try to trim fuel. but this would be a backwards, deductive means for the puter to trim fuel. just replace it and dont sweat it anymore.
 
8

87'GTstang

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Feb 16, 2004
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Dec 8, 2004
#5
  • Dec 8, 2004
  • #5
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?
Click to expand...
Have you ever tried to drive while blindfolded? Your computer will at least be trying to.....
So is that gonna kill gas mileage?
Click to expand...
You better believe it. Your computer will be quite confused and you should be running in open loop because the ECU cannot see what temp the coolant is at - so basically the engine should be running rich.

Get it fixed ASAP.
 

BlueOvalStangGT

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Oct 27, 2003
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Dec 8, 2004
#6
  • Dec 8, 2004
  • #6
I think my computer was running in open loop anyways so oh well. It needs to just get me from home>school>napa?courthouse>work>home and ill be good,
 
S

SlowGT

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Jun 17, 1999
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Columbia Co, PA
Dec 8, 2004
#7
  • Dec 8, 2004
  • #7
BlueOvalStangGT said:
It needs to just get me from home>school>napa?courthouse>work>home and ill be good,
Click to expand...


Yes. It'll be fine 'til you can get to NAPA.
 

88 Fox GT

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Nov 18, 2002
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Iowa
Dec 8, 2004
#8
  • Dec 8, 2004
  • #8
The ECT is a pretty important sensor. The computer will definitely go into a limp mode and it will run decent (but like a rich pig) with it broken or unplugged. Should still be reliable enough to get you around. Only the fuel gauge will drop a lot faster.
 
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