OK, we got another clue tonight.
update: my temp gauges is still ballistic. usually it stays pretty constant right in the middle. but over the past couple days it has been acting up more. it never goes higher, just randomly drops to zero. i took a couple vids that i have yet to upload that'll come in short time tho i dont know if they'l help. sometimes (typically after real short trips (5mins around town) it has had trouble starting. i'd have to smash the pedal to the ground to get it to start up (thinking possibly bad fuel pump/filter/ likely both). well tonight the check engine light came on.
CODE: P0118 "engine coolant temp circuit
if the sensor is bad, could this explain the ballistic temp gauge? if the engine cant get the correct temp could this also explain my had starting??
what sensors should i replace?!
thank you for all the help!!
yes, probably and ECT sensor (engine coolant temp)
and more specifically... p0118 is "Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit High Voltage"
ok... so of course the engine light went off by itself yesterday. today i changed the ect sensor. on first startup, everything seemed just fine and dandy. temp was fine; no strange movement of the temp gauge..... shortly after that i had to run to the hardware store. temp gauge never moved (all the way down) and engine light back on.
WTF!?! P0118 was the only code listed when i scanned it at autozone. havent gone back to rescan the engine yet... may do that tomorrow depending on what time i get home.
any ideas what could cause that code and my temp gauge to not move?
Check the coolant temperature sensor wiring for any nad spots. Also, replace the pigtail where it plugs in to the sensor. You have a problem with the connection somewhere.
Currently #4 in Ecotec Forced Induction horsepower ratings. 505.8 WHP 414WTQ!!!
Currently 3rd quickest Ecotec on the .org - 10.949 @ 131.50 MPH!!!
can you buy the piece of wiring that plugs into the sensor and just replace that? are they any more ect sensors, or just the one in the coolant pipe by the alt?
As far as start up trouble Hot Engine=Rich Fueling=Hard Start Up
Get new t-stat, sensor, and have more quality time with you J, it may be feeling mistreated.
Yes replace the thermostat, then see if your troubles are gone.
I second replace the plug that goes into the sensor itself. I had the same problem years ago and thought just replacing the sensor would work. I turned right back around and bought the plug with a short harness lead and spliced it in. Problem solved.
update: new ECT sensor seemed to take care of the crazy temp gauge!! that must have been goin bad for a while now.... but temp is acting normal. engine light off. and so far so good....
now back to my search for cheap sides, poss. doors and hood to get rid of the rust issues.... creepin up on 140k miles!
update:
issues starting!!! if the car sits for a while (over night or while im away at work, it'll start up just fine. but if i turn it off and try to start it after a few minutes, it just doesnt kick on. UNLESS press the gas pedal in. being fuel injected, this shouldnt need to be done obviously so what kind of solutions??
