How do you change the coolant Temp sensor?

[420IS300]

My check engine light on my 1996 explorer came on last week and I stopped in at Autozone and the code said it was the temperature sensor. So I bought a new one ($17) but Im not sure where its located at.

Can someone redirect me to a pictorial or some kind of instructions on changing it? Thanks

 

[420IS300]

Also my explorer never heats up anywhere near the middle of the temp range. The heat is only luke warm too. after reading some threads on here, do you think my thermostat is stuck open? If so can you also send me a link with pics on changing that out.

Thanks guys any help is appreciated

 

[Rescue814]

How is your coolant level?

The code for that covers a few different things
* Insufficient warm up time
* Low engine coolant level
* Leaking or stuck open thermostat
* Faulty coolant temperature sensor

 

[gtyates]

The low heat sounds like stuck open thermostat. My '96 just did the same thing. I did not get a CEL though. But, I basically had little heat in the truck and the temp guage basically never moved. Now, I get HOT heat in the truck but the temp guage still never gets above about 1/3, whihc is about what is has shown now for the past several years as a maximum.

 

[Rescue814]

I had about the same problem, but my water pump was shot and leaking. Fixed that the code went away.

 

[420IS300]

Thanks guys. My temp gauge has never gotten about 1/3 either. I already got the new temp sensor so Im going to replace that and the thermostat today. Hopefully that will fix my problems.

I think my heat blend door might be broken but Im hoping its just my thermostat stuck open : )

 

[budwich]

you can check your sensor to see if it is working (especially since you have one in your hands to compare with).... AND I don't think there is a code that says "replace your temperature sensor"... It is more likely that your thermostat is a problem as opposed to your temperature sensor.... BUT without the specific code, I am just guessing.

 

[420IS300]

Just got done... I have full heat now and it warms up to about the middle of the gauge now.

 

[Rescue814]

Sweet!

 

[MinistrOfJustiz]

Did anybody ever post pictures for this? I'm going to replace both the ECT sensor and the thermostat on my 200k mile '96 4.0, and wouldn't mind the guidance!

 

[OneLever]

I would replace the thermostat first and wait awhile to see if that clears the ECT code.

EDIT: Wrong engine.

 

[mrklai]

Don't know if anyone posted pics, but here's a nice tut that showed me how to get to the sensor and the thermostat with no glitches...replaced my ect sensor and my thermostat today on my 01 ST and it runs like a charm now!

http://bengrosser.com/howto/fordthermostat/