Where is the engine coolant temperature sensor located?

Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 HONDA ACCORD
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
Where is the ect sensor on these v6 3.5l motors? I replaced the motor, and this is all the codes I have. I replaced the one on top of thermostat from old one, still says ect 2.
Thursday, April 6th, 2023 AT 12:55 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,494 POSTS
ECT 2 is hidden underneath. You need to drain the coolant, lift the car, remove the undercar shield. Then look up on the back side of the radiator to find it.
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Thursday, April 6th, 2023 AT 4:07 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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It is connected, how do I check if it's the wire or the sensor?
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Thursday, April 6th, 2023 AT 5:25 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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Easy, plug in the scan tool and look at the coolant temperature for ECT2 Then unplug the sensor. It should show a big change if the sensor wiring is good. Most drop to -40 when unplugged and if you short the two pins it should read like 300 degrees.
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Thursday, April 6th, 2023 AT 5:43 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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I took a scan earlier; this means this is not connected, correct? Weird, am almost sure all wires are connected.
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Thursday, April 6th, 2023 AT 5:47 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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I found it, stuck underneath the radiator, same connector same color as the one I plugged into it, so I plugged the right one and now code is gone, but there is an exact looking connector that also plugs in somewhere, black with 2 wires with a rubber protective around it, green and silver wiring that I don't know where it goes. It extends 6 inches in length.
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Thursday, April 6th, 2023 AT 6:01 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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Well, I see a green and gray that is for transmission fluid temperature in that area. ECT 2 should be a light blue and a dark blue.
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Friday, April 7th, 2023 AT 3:09 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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Okay, let me look for a fluid temperature sensor.
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Friday, April 7th, 2023 AT 5:43 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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  • 1,588 POSTS
Everything is meant to be, lol, looked and looked and then decided to remove the wheel again, and then right there in my office hidden on bottom of the transmission by the engine mount. The important thing is that this allowed me to see that I have forgotten to tighten the bolts on that mount because I wanted to keep it till the end, all 4 bolts on that mount were loose, strange things happen for a reason, thanks for your help.
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Friday, April 7th, 2023 AT 7:07 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Good to hear. Yeah there have been times that I'll start connecting things and find the loose bolt or connector that is damaged, normally the loose ones happen just before lunch.
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Friday, April 7th, 2023 AT 7:25 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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Lol
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Friday, April 7th, 2023 AT 7:58 AM

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