2002 ECTS Location

2002 SATURN VUE
78,880 MILES • 6 CYL • AWD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
MILITARYBETRAYED
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have an intermitten Service Engine Soon (SES) light with a diagnostic code of Engine Coolant system. I topped off the coolant first a month ago. It stays on about a week, then off for a week, then on a week, now stays on. The analog temp gauge is normal, not overheating and normal warm-up time. That should eliminate the thermostat. So I ordered an Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor (ECTS).

Where is the ECTS located on the 2002 Saturn Vue AWD 3.0 Liter

Jan 21, 2011 at 6:26 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
Do you happen to have a code P0128?If so then you will need a new thermostat not a coolant temp sensor i have seen a lot of those and repaired them by replacing the thermostat not the coolant temp sensor.Also you said you have a coolant leak most common place's to leak on that engine is the water pump and the oil cooler plate under the intake manifold which you would have to pop up to replace to reseal the oil cooler plate if it was leaking.
Jan 21, 2011 at 6:45 PM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
MilitaryBetrayed says>saturntech9,

I appreciate the response. I don't have a coolant leak as far as I know. Code is 0128 The coolant temp on the analog gage is normal. I already ordered the ECTS, I'll check if they have a thermostat when I go to pick up the ECTS today. Are they both co-located?
saturntech9 say's> you can replace the coolant temp sensor if you really want but i think your wasting your money on that one.I posted a diagram of where coolant temp sensor is.The thermostat is under the intake manifold on the passenger side can't miss it it's in the thermostat housing.I thought you had a coolant leak since you said the low coolant light was coming on.SO the low coolant light came on you topped off the coolant the light went off.Now your service engine soon light comes on and stays on?Please reply on this question don't start a new question to reply to me.
Image (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Jan 22, 2011 at 4:32 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
MILITARYBETRAYED
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I never said I had a coolant leak. I just topped it off in hopes that was the solution to the SES light, code P0128. I now have a new CTS I installed myself as that's what makes sense since the engine wasn't overheating. I suppose the thermostat could stick partially open intermittenly. It will get changed tomorrow, thanks for your help.
Feb 7, 2011 at 5:43 PM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
I'm sorry i thought you were talking about the low coolant light staying on.I reread your answer's and now see you were talking about the ses light staying on.As far as the engine overheating and setting that code p0128 that code isn't for the engine running hot.It's for the coolant not reaching regulating temp.Meaning the thermostat is sticking open enough to set that code.There was even bulletin's for that code that said to replace the thermostat.That's why i said to replace the thermostat.I have replaced a lot of themostat's for that code.Let me know how it come's out.
Feb 7, 2011 at 5:55 PM