Coolant Sensor

[BISCUT]

95 2.2 Camry 103k. I replaced the thermostat and radiator at 101k. Radiator rusted after 18 years. I replaced upper/lower hoses at 70k (17yr). Prior to the radiator and thermostat replacement the temp gauge would read normal cold to operating temp then drop to cold and go back to normal. Still does it months later. Sooo I would think it more a temp sensor that a gauge issue?? What do you think?

If temp sensor ok to run it this way or better to change it out?

 

[artificialist]

If you had the right scan tool, you could monitor what the sensor is telling the ECU, but on cars made in 1995, some cars had OBDII, some had OBDI, and some had some weird combo, so I am not sure what scan tool you would need. That would be the only way I know to accurately determine if the sensor is good or bad.

If you have a friend with an older advanced scan tool that has lots of extra connections, you could determine this at a low cost.

Use only an OEM sensor, many aftermarket ones aren't accurate.

 

[spag1]

Yeah that would be a good start. Now I am trying to remember, does it have a sending unit to the gauge, as well as a sensor for the computer?

 

[hsd]

Most vehicles of that age had two coolant sensors, one for the gauge and another for the ECM. Reading the ECM data will tell you what the cooling system is really doing.
Find the ECM data connector for the vehicle to tell you if its OBD I or II. OBDII will have the standard multi-pin data connector where OBDI will have something different.

 

[BISCUT]

Sounds like I'll have to bring it to my buddy as his shop will have the right diagnostic tool for it. Thanks.