99 XJR coolant temp
Discussion
Slightly odd one, this.
Temp has always risen to halfway on the gauge and stayed there, heater works fine etc etc.
After removing the cam cover to check the tensioner, I got an error code for the coolant temp sensor and the reading was all over the shop, with the car running rough. I ordered a replacement from britishparts.co.uk, but while waiting for it to arrive discovered that the connection to the existing sensor was loose, so plugged it back in properly and all was fine again.
I decided to fit the new sensor anyway, and with it fitted the coolant temp never read above a quarter. Car ran fine, heater worked fine.
Yesterday I swapped back to the old one and it was as before, reading at a steady halfway.
So how do I tell which sensor is giving the correct reading? If it is the case that the lower reading is correct, I'd then assume that the thermostat is stuck open, but I'd like to have some confidence it needs changing before doing it.
I only have a basic fault code reader, so can't get a live reading of coolant temp.
Thoughts?
Temp has always risen to halfway on the gauge and stayed there, heater works fine etc etc.
After removing the cam cover to check the tensioner, I got an error code for the coolant temp sensor and the reading was all over the shop, with the car running rough. I ordered a replacement from britishparts.co.uk, but while waiting for it to arrive discovered that the connection to the existing sensor was loose, so plugged it back in properly and all was fine again.
I decided to fit the new sensor anyway, and with it fitted the coolant temp never read above a quarter. Car ran fine, heater worked fine.
Yesterday I swapped back to the old one and it was as before, reading at a steady halfway.
So how do I tell which sensor is giving the correct reading? If it is the case that the lower reading is correct, I'd then assume that the thermostat is stuck open, but I'd like to have some confidence it needs changing before doing it.
I only have a basic fault code reader, so can't get a live reading of coolant temp.
Thoughts?
Are you reading any fault codes or are there any error messages on the dash?
If not it may be the new sensor is either faulty or, even though it fits, is not the compatable one for your car.
I'd swap them over again and see if you can replicate the same symptoms, if you can then ring BCP and ask them to confirm they have sent the correct sensor, and if they say yes tell them you think it's faulty and want it changed for another one.
In the meantime just make sure there's no problems within the cooling system and keep an eye on the temperature gauge. It's not an accurate linear refection of engine temperature but it's all you have. I've never seen it happen but believe if the engine temperature goes over certain threshold the gauge will go up into the red sector very quickly.
If not it may be the new sensor is either faulty or, even though it fits, is not the compatable one for your car.
I'd swap them over again and see if you can replicate the same symptoms, if you can then ring BCP and ask them to confirm they have sent the correct sensor, and if they say yes tell them you think it's faulty and want it changed for another one.
In the meantime just make sure there's no problems within the cooling system and keep an eye on the temperature gauge. It's not an accurate linear refection of engine temperature but it's all you have. I've never seen it happen but believe if the engine temperature goes over certain threshold the gauge will go up into the red sector very quickly.
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