Your engine’s coolant temperature sensor must function at all times because it monitors your engine’s temperature and then sends the temperature information to the car’s central computer.
Based on the information received, the computer adjusts the engine’s temperature so that it is neither too hot nor too cold. If you do not have a functioning coolant temperature sensor, your car’s computer will not know when your engine is overheating. This could lead to malfunctions in engine components and eventually cause it to stop working altogether. Then you would have to spend thousands of dollars to replace your engine. Therefore, it is important to replace your coolant temperature sensor whenever it is broken or worn out.
Common Symptoms
You will know when you need a new coolant temperature sensor because your car will experience poor fuel economy, increased carbon emissions, and random engine stalling. If you are only experiencing poor fuel economy and increased carbon emissions, it may be difficult to identify the issue with the coolant temperature sensor because there are a number of other problems that could produce these same symptoms. But once you encounter issues with starting the car or it stalling, you should not delay diagnosing your vehicle to determine the problem. The longer you wait to get a diagnosis, the more damage will occur to your engine components. So, take your car to the nearest auto repair shop and find out the issue once and for all.
Average Replacement Cost
Some auto repair shops will diagnose the engine problem for free, while others may charge around $100. If the diagnosis reveals that you need a new coolant temperature sensor, be prepared to spend between $120 and $160 for the replacement service. The actual cost of the parts associated with the sensor will only be about $30 to $40. The biggest costs come from labor. Depending on the auto repair shop you go to, the average mechanic’s hourly rate ranges from $80 to $110. An auto mechanic should only take about an hour to replace the sensor in your vehicle. So, if the parts cost $35 and the labor costs $100, then you are looking at about $135 total for the service. This is certainly cheaper than having to pay for a new engine, even if you add the additional $100 for the initial diagnosis.