Coolant Temperature Sensor

I have a 2000 Oldsmaobile Intrigue withe close to 91k miles on it. For the past two weeks or so the low coolant light has appeared. When I top off the coolant the light disappears. Maybe problem fixed. Also, my enigne will read hot and the light will go off. My husband just changed the thermostat because that is what the service guys say to do. Still the car reads hot.

Then we were told to change the coolant temperature sensor. So for $7 we bought it. Now we cannot find out where it is located. Tried to look for a Hanyes or Chilton's manual but no decent auto parts store has one. Now I am hoping that someone can help us. My husband went to Autozone for a free code reading to see if anything pops up new because we also have the SES light on. But that code reads emission system. I even replaced the gas cap and the light appears. Though if I clear the codes for emission system they do not appear again until I do my next fill up. Any help?? Please e-mail me at janelleflorin@sbcglobal.com Thanks

Hi
I think your '00 has the 3.5L? I have a '99. The coolant temp sensor is located on the end of the rear cylinder head on the driver's side. Stand at the left front facing the engine. Locate the brake reservoir and move inward and down to the end of the rear head. You will see the cylindrical sensor screwed into the head at that point. My manual says to drain the coolant and then remove and replace.

Good luck

Thanks for the information. This has to be the last thing I need to do. I went and had the coolant system flushed and exchanged. Changed the whole thermostat housing and replaced the radiator cap. Still the car shows hot but it will only get to 3/4's the way up. Maybe there is air in the system. If the only thing left is the sensor, I hope, then problems will be over.

Make sure you are replacing the right part. There are usually four coolant related sensors/switches that each have their own function and operate individually. I am unsure of the location of these parts unless otherwise stated.

1) Coolant Temperature Sensor - tells the ECM how warm the engine is and its reading helps the ECM determine how much fuel to deliver. A service code is usually triggered if this part fails.

2) Temperature Switch - is used by your temp gauge to tell you how warm the engine is. It also triggers the "temp" light to come on when it detects that the engine is overheating.

3) Cooling Fan Switch or Radiator Fan Switch - a thermoswitch that tells the cooling fan when to turn on and off. Usually when the temp gauge needle hits or goes above the middle mark the switch should tell the fan should kick on.

4) Coolant Level Sensor - turns on your low coolant light when it detects that the coolant reservoir is empty. It is usually located at the bottom of the coolant reservoir. Sometimes these can gunk up and not work right.

Based on what you've mentioned I would replace the Temperature Switch.

If you are looking for a service manual, only Chilton publishes one for the Intrigue, Haynes does not. Autozone, Advance Auto, NAPA all carry Haynes manuals. O'Reilly carries Chilton manuals and they should have the book for the Intrigue (same book as 1997+ Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix) in stock for around $16.

Thanks for all the information. Finally I ook it to an Olds Dealership for a system check and told me that I have a crack somewhere in the moor and I need to replace it. SO I am screwed. I found an engine but it is set up federal emissions testing and my Intrigue is set up for California emissions.