ETCS and it's CONNNECTOR causes many different driveability, starting, lean, rich, and emission problems, yes including NO START. The reason is, it feeds the gauge and the computer information. Anyone can search a number of SATURN web sites and find information relating to the many problems that can come up. So if you have any of the problems listed above the ETCS and it's CONNNECTOR should be the first thing you look into. When buying either item get it from your local GM dealer servicing SATURNS. Do not buy from Al's Auto Parts and Furniture Barn. Oh and don't go to the junk yard for it.

Oh and it also sends info the temp gauge, how bizzar. One more thing to remember. 90% of Saturn cars the temp gauge will go to the 3/4 or a bit more before the engine cooling fan comes on, that's NORMAL.

If your temp gauge says your car is overheating but the car is not ...... replace the ETCS and connector before doing anything else.

PS: Early Saturns had two sensors and connectors. The Two wire feeds the computor

 

There's a couple of other thoughts to go along with this thread:

1) Use Teflon tape or something similar when installing your new ECTS, and for goodness sake, be careful of the amount of torque you put on it.

2) This might not hold in the future, but as for right now (Jan 2012) the approximate cost for the parts will be about $40usd, and that is from the dealer ....

 

I have a 95 sc2 with 161,000 on her and no problems yet but thinking maybe I should change this as a preventative measure, can you tell me where it is located. I am a new Saturn owner and not at all knowledgeable about these cars.

 

driver's side in the cylinder head -- two wire device with squeeze connector

 

Thank you for the info. I was on the gm parts site and it doesn't seam to be listed would you happen to know the part # or if it is known by another name? I even put it in search and says no item found.

 

call any chevy dealer and order the part. be sure to use ECTS (engine coolant temp sensor) and ensure it is the two wire device, Also replace the connector while you're at it

 

Thank you again.

 

AGAIN, when buying either item get it from your local GM dealer servicing SATURNS. Do not buy from Petes Parts and Pet Store, or the junk yard.

 

Oh yes, and make sure the sensor tip is metal covered, not the resin-tipped one that has caused so much trouble to start with ...

 

"Al's Auto Parts and Furniture Barn" What the ............ Thought for sure you would have said
Al's Auto Parts and Apple Orchard.