I continually have to replace my CTS. When my check engine light goes on the teperature gauge goes to hot, but the car doesn't overheat. There are 2 options for the CTS--short stem and long stem. I had a long stem so that is what I bought, but it keeps happening...any clues??? Also...she's in the shop today for "rear linkage " replacement. WTF is that??? HELP!!!!! This is a 2004 2.5L X-Type

 

Hey! Chaseandarthur. Welcome. Did you try posting this in the x-type section? Sorry I cant help with your question but I saw Westville and had to say Hi from Michigan City

 

Chase, it sounds like you are not necessarily fixing the problem. Based on what you are describing, it is sounding more like a dirty connection inside the plug to the CTS than the CTS itself. What I would say is to first get yourself a new CTS (or an old one if you still have it around) and do a little experiment. What you are going to do is to create a rig to hold the sensor in a pot of water that you can put on the stove. From there, you are going to connect up a multimeter (set to resistance) and heat up the water around the sensor. You can then compare the resistance to the temperature of the water (will need some sort of thermometer to do this). You can then take the "bad" CTS and do the same thing. If it is giving readings very similar to your good CTS, then the CTS is not the issue.

The other thing to consider is if the temp gauge is snapping up to the top or if it is slowly rising. if it is slowly rising, then that is indicating an actually heat problem. If it is snapping up (going to max over a few seconds), then your problem is most likely wiring related, not the CTS.

Another thing that can help relate it back to wiring or CTS is whether you can turn the car off and then right back on to have the temp return to where it should be. If this happens, then you are most likely looking at a wiring issue, not a CTS issue.

If you are suspecting a wiring issue, I would start with some contact cleaner on the plug to the CTS and if need be, a scribe to get the contacts back to a nice, bright, silvery appearance. After that, start tracing the wiring back and see if the wiring makes any sharp bends. If so, you may have a broken wire and it is making intermittent connection (ie, when it breaks, it will drive the temp high, but a slight shutter from the engine from say starting will be enough to remake the connection with the wiring).

The final thing that you can try (and I don't recommend doing this for too long) is to find the resistance for the CTS at 195F. You can then unplug the CTS and install a resistor that is that value in place of the CTS. Then, if the car "overheats", this will confirm a wiring issue. If it never overheats, then it will lead one back to the CTS. But this poses a different question as to why the CTS sensors are repeatedly failing.

 

Thanks Jerry! I'm still trying to find my way around this Forum and wasn't aware there is an X-Type Section. I'll seek and find!!!! Did you ever eat at the Mainstreet Cafe in Westville? That was my restaurant for 6 years. Now I reside in Douglas MI on beautiful Lake Michigan. Cheers!!!

 

No, sorry I haven't eaten there. I work at the Port Authority at Washington Park, so I don't get over that way much except for Pauls junkyard and that is closing now. Woe is me!