BLACK 97 SS

my camaro has the fans constantly on while the car is on and i have to give it gas to start i have a 97 camaro i have the engine light on its a coolant temp code but i forgot the number i already changed the sensor that goes inside the water pump housing but its still on even when the code was erased ill try to get the code as soon as i get the scanner again.and its also taking a long time for the temperature on the gauge to rise

tricked94camaro

iTrader: (1)

is coolant level full?

-PEPE-

iTrader: (10)

Good suggestion above, coolant leve. Isn't there another temp sensor on the driver side head? I melted one of the wires to it with my headers once and threw the temp code, ran new wiring, re-routed, etc. The actual wire at the sensor was melted/old, ran new wiring and used some pro-heat sleeving with a new sensor, problem solved.

BLACK 97 SS

well the code its throwing out is p0118 engine coolant temperature circuit high input

BLACK 97 SS

and yes coolant level is full

BlackBird87

iTrader: (6)

theres also a coolant sensor in the drivers side head, the fans are on because on the check engine light and your hard start is most likely due to the code as well

BLACK 97 SS

but the code has been cleared

BLACK 97 SS

anyone else have any input??

tricked94camaro

iTrader: (1)

it may have been cleared but was the problem actually taken care of??

RogueLT1

iTrader: (2)

Well, it takes forever for the gauge to rise because the fans constantly running keep it a heck of a lot cooler. Could be hard to start because of the additional power going to the fans right away, though it shouldn't be drawing that much. I believe there should be two temp sensors, so either one of them could be bad (that's what the guy I bought my car from told me). it's also possible to have a bad sensor right out of the box, so make sure any new ones that you buy are good. after taking everyone else's advice and checking all of your sensors and wiring, I'd try replacing the ecm. it's possible it's sending the wrong signals.

BlackBird87

iTrader: (6)

The ecm should be the absolute last thing to be checked and considered replacing it. Go to shbox's website I believe he has something in there to test the temp sensors

BLACK 97 SS

yea thats what im about to test the temp sensors

BLACK 97 SS

SO I WAS LOOKING UP SOME INFO AND SAW THIS

The engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor is a thermistor screwed into a coolant passage in the cylinder head. Sensor resistance is high when coolant temperature is low and resistance drops when coolant temperature increases. The powertrain control module (PCM) provides a 5 volt reference and a ground to the sensor. The PCM monitors voltage drop to determine coolant temperature. If the ECT reads less than freezing temp. when engine has been running for more than a few minutes, the PCM determines a circuit fault and sets this code. Or if the PCM determines the sensor resistance is out of specs, this code is set

BLACK 97 SS

so maybe that is why it takes a very long time for the temp gauge to start moving?

LT1559

iTrader: (5)

Would the car still be able to run without the pcm working? i know it sounds dumb but I've heard of some car's being able to run without the pcm working.

RogueLT1

iTrader: (2)

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong here. From what I understand, something wrong with the pcm doesn't necessarily mean it's not working. A PCM is essential to the operation of the vehicle. without the PCM, you're not going to be driving the car. That's not to say that the PCM isn't bad if the car is running though. It could very well be malfunctioning and sending bad signals (ie. incorrect coolant temp) So, to answer your question, no, the car will nto run without the pcm working. It could, however, run without the pcm working properly, though it'd probably run like sh*t.

Anyone that wants to correct me is more than welcome too. As always, this is just what I've gathered from being around the forum and some shops. I could be completely misinformed here.

quik95lt1

iTrader: (7)

just to clarifiy a bit also the two sensors control two different things.....the sensor in the cylinder head controls just the gauge on the dash and the sensor in the waterpump is what the ECM gets its temp reading off of......at least thats what my schematic im looking at is showing me

BLACK 97 SS

yeah and the sensor in the waterpump is the one i changed but nothing changed maybe now i gotta check my wiring it can be a bad pigtail