How do you install a coolant temperature sensor in a 1999 V-6 Intrigue?

Answer 1

You will need the following tools: 19 mm box type wrench, 15 mm socket and ratchet wrench, a 10 mm socket, a 15 mm open end wrench and a pliers. You will need the following parts; the replacement Coolant Temperature Sensor, (got mine at Autozone, just over $14.), a replacement gasket for your thermostat neck, and some fresh Prestone green coolant. (The guys at AZ will usually reset your engine light if you purchase your parts there.) -Make sure engine is completely cool before performing the following steps. If you currently have Dex-Cool antifreeze in the system, do a complete drain and flush of system first. Remove the plastic motor cover, remove the oil filler neck by twisting it CCW, then push down on the back of the cover freeing it from the rear clip. -Remove the rubber hose from the thermostat neck. -Remove the two 10 mm bolts that hold the thermostat neck in place, then remove the aluminum neck assembly. Now you can see the little guy (sensor) tucked down between the exhaust crossover pipe and the drivers side upper motor mount bracket. -unplug the wire from the sensor, then using the 19 mm box wrench you can remove the old sensor. You will need to keep flipping the wrench over after each short turn, it's a tight space. Might want to remove the upper motor mount connector and loosen the aluminum bracket from the head as this will give you more space to work, you'll need a 15 mm socket and a open end or box wrench (15 mm) for this. You can get the front two bolts out completely but the back bolt you can only loosen since the sensor is in the way for complete removal. -when you have the old sensor out you simply do the above in reverse. Use a new thermostat gasket, clean the old one off completely from both surfaces, careful not to scratch the surface as it is aluminum and easly damaged. -when you have reattached the wire, installed the new thermostat gasket, have all the bolts back in place and reattached the rubber water hose. Now refill the radiator with the Prestone green coolant with a 50/50 mix. Loosen burp plug on thermostat housing 3/4 turn and start engine. Add coolant to radiator until coolant starts flowing out of burp plug and tighten it. Replace radiator cap. Add coolant to plastic overflow resorvoir up to "Full Hot" mark.