Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.
Manuals through 2025 now available!

Our trusted friends have launched a new website named LEMON, which has newer manuals. It also contains all the CHARM manuals.

LEMON is the spiritual successor to CHARM, I recommend you try it!

Link: lemon-manuals.la or lemon-manuals.org.ua

(Some people have issue connecting. LEMON is investigating. For now, use Firefox or change your DNS server)

Or, hide this message: temporarily or permanently

Engine Temperature Sensor: Description and Operation


Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor:





The coolant temperature sensor is a thermistor (a device whose resistance changes with temperature) mounted in the engine cooling system near the distributor. Low temperature produces high resistance while high temperature produces low resistance.

The ECM supplies a 5V signal to the sensor and measures voltage variation. By measuring this variation, the ECM measures coolant temperature. This input is a factor in calculations involving most ECM controlled systems.

The temperature/resistance relationship is as follows:

Coolant Temp. Resistance
-18°C (0°F) 25K ohms
-7°C (20°F) 13.5K ohms
4°C (40°F) 7.5K ohms
20°C (68°F) 3.4K ohms
38°C (100°F) 1.8K ohms
70°C (160°F) 450 ohms
100°C (212°F) 185 ohms