1996 Plymouth Voyager Engine Temp sensor - codes

POLOM

MEMBER
1996 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
23,500 MILES

Vehicle is 1996 Plymouth Voyager 3.0 - 235,000 miles
The temperature guage on the car would sometimes drop from normal operating temperature to zero and then after a 5 to 45 minutes, would pop back up to normal. No MIL codes were showing.
I got a new engine coolant (ECT) temperature sensor and installed it. After that I got three MIL codes:
35 Cooling fan relay circuit open or shorted
17 Engine stays cool too long
22 Coolant sensor signal out of range
After that happened, I checked the resistance of the ECT sensor: result was 5,000 ohms and the repair manual said it should be about 15,000 ohms. So it was the wrong part.
I put in the correct ECT sensor (15,000 ohms) and a new thermostat but the codes remain. The temperature guage is working okay. I tried disconnecting the battery thinking it would reset the engine computer.
Also, I have a MIL code 43 Peak primary coil current not achieved with max dwell time. This code was there before the other codes came up and is still there.
Has the wrong ECT sensor damaged the engine computer?

3 Replies

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

NO the temp sensor did not harm the computer. However you do need to clear the codes and all obd2 codes are P plus 4 numbers. To clear the codes you need to get an OBD 2 scanner. If you do not have one I don't think I would buy on unless you plan on using it often. So I would call around to the local parts stores and find on that offers a free scan and have it scanned and clear the codes. Write down the codes that are there now and then drive it a while and lets see if any codes come back. Now code 43 is a generic code for an engine missfire however without the p code I do not know which cylinder. Get back to me and we will go from there.

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Monday, December 15th, 2008 AT 3:54 PM

POLOM

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Thanks for your reply racefan966.

I disconnected the battery overnight and the next day all the MIL codes were cleared and the car runs fine.

Only thing is, after about 4 hours of driving a new code popped up: 72 - a catalytic converter code.

I assume that the code 72 showing up right after the other codes is a coincidence and not an indication of other issues.

Also, I've ordered a ODB2 scanner, looks like a good tool to have.

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Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 AT 12:39 PM

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

To the best I can find sense this a generic code as you are using the key to cycle the engine light looks like a cat inefficiency code meaning the rear O2 sensor is picking up a lack of exhaust flow which indicates the cat is pluging up. I would wait till you get you scanner and get the 4 digit code and look it up as such. Hope this helps. Thanks and have a great day.

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Thursday, December 18th, 2008 AT 10:25 AM