Kia Forum banner

Temp Guage not working but ecu knows temp.

31K views 62 replies 11 participants last post by  Loyale 2.7 Turbo 
#1 ·
2000 Kia Sephia Coolant Temp Sensor

My friend has a 2000 Kia Sephia with the 1.8L DOHC and it threw a Check Engine Light for the Coolant Temp Sensor, can anyone tell me where it is at on the car?
Thanks
 
#2 ·
Welcome to the forum.

The temp sensors are in the thermostat housing on the cylinder head where the top radiator hose connects. There may be two - the one with a single connector is for the dashboard gauge, and the one with double connector is for the ECU.

What is the code? - a faulty thermostat can also cause a code.

Try the KiaTech web site for more info.
 
#3 ·
Thanks, I can't remember the DTC, but it was for not coming up to operating temp. Usually I've seen stats stuck close not open, and I guess the temp sensor is fairly common on these so thats why we decided to start with that. I think there's only one sensor for this one, they didn't list two options when we got the part, does that sound right or would it be under something else.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Thanks, I can't remember the DTC, but it was for not coming up to operating temp. Usually I've seen stats stuck close not open, and I guess the temp sensor is fairly common on these so thats why we decided to start with that. I think there's only one sensor for this one, they didn't list two options when we got the part, does that sound right or would it be under something else.
There's most certainly cars out there fitted with two sensors, and a few with only one - maybe your model sold in your location has only one and that's why your local parts shop lists only one.

If only one is used, then it's the type with two contacts - how many contacts does your new one have?

One sensor will be listed under dashboard, and the other under engine control.

If it was not coming up to operating temperature then it sounds like a thermostat stuck open.
 
#6 ·
was it a P0128 thermostat stuck open code? if it was, that temp sensor may or may not fix it. usually i start with the thermostat on those codes or monitor the engine temp and see if the ECT gives me a reason to replace it. personally i've only replaced mine once and that was to fix a cold start condition even though at the time it was a last resort and i was running out of options.
 
#9 ·
Single or Dual Temperature Sensors' setup, on T8D engines

There is something pretty interesting related to the Coolant Temperature Sensor on the T8D Engines found on the Second Gen Kia Sephia; some models has only One Sensor which delivers the Signal for both the ECU and the Temperature Gauge on the instrument Cluster; while some others has Two independent Sensors, one for the ECU and another for said Gauge. Let me Show ya:
 
#11 ·
Question

I've seen the Single Sensor Setup, and the Dual Sensors' Setup, on random Second Gen Sephia models from '98 to '01 and random first gen Spectras from '00 to '04 ... Both are the same car, basically with cosmetic changes only, so I could Not find any Logic behind the different setups.

A change on the ECU's Wiring perhaps? :confused:

So, if I have a Single Coolant Temperature Sensor Setup, and the Gauge on the instrument cluster has been working completely Flawlessly, the sensor must be in good working order, isn't it?
 
#12 ·
Does anyone know where to find a factory service manual? Or at least the diagnostic tree for the dashboard temperate guage? My ecu says my temp is at 190-200 degrees depending on how hot it is and if my ac is on, but my factory dashboard guage reads about 1/4 up the guage from cold 100% of the time. It never moves at all. Can anyone help with this?
(side note - from the reasearch I have done, I know some of the sephia's before 2000 had 2 connectors. One for the dash guage and one for the ecu. Mine has one since I have a 2000 model.)

Would also be helpful to know if it is easier and / or better to just install an aftermarket guage with numbers to actually tell how hot it really gets.
 
#14 ·
Don't think it is the sensor. The sensor seems like it is working according to the ecu. When the car is cold the ecu says 80-100 degrees. After it warms up 190-200 degrees. And it seems to climb normally while warming up. My sephia has only the one plug on the thermostat housing. Unlike the older models that have two (one for the dash, and one for the ecu.).

So don't really want to ground a wire going to the ecu. Without just following wires to figure out which one goes where.... How do I know which wire is for what?

This is where the factory service manual would come in handy if I could find one.
 
#18 ·
The picture was re-sized and may be a little distorted. So the top picture has one sensor to the right of the thermostat housing and a plug in the left side. While the bottom picture has a sensor on both the left and right sides.

On the older models, is my understanding that the right hand side sensor is for the ecu and the left side sensor is for the dash. The newer models only have the right hand sensor for the ecu.

So is this sensor just for the ecu and there is another sensor in a different location for the dashboard gauge? Or on the newer models - does the one sensor on the right of thermostat housing go to both the ecu and the dashboard gauge?
 
#20 ·
I appreciate you responding to my thread.... But clearly you are NOT understanding what I am saying. The older models (98,99, & some early 2000 models) all have TWO sensors. After that they switched to only ONE sensor on the thermostat housing. I have the model with only ONE sensor! I DO NOT HAVE THE MODEL WITH TWO SENSORS ON THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING! If I do have two temperature sensors on the car, the one for the dashboard guage is NOT on the thermostat housing like the older model sephia's. If it has separate sensors for the dash & ecu, I don't know where the one for the dash is located. Only the one for the ecu (To the right of the thermostat housing.). I am not sure how to be more clear than that. You can look at the picture I posted to see what I am talking about.
 
#26 ·
Oh geez c'mon!! The gauge sensor only have 1 connector and it is located ON THE THERM HOUSING wheather you have 1 or 2 sensors... Unplug it anyway and you will see what happen to your indicator!!!

I'm done with it, you have enough infos to go on with that...
 
#27 ·
Here are all the pictures I am talking about.

You will see in the first and second picture that there are 2 sensors. The one on the left is for the dashboard gauge - the one on the right is for the ecu.
In the 3rd picture, you will see that there isn't a sensor for the gauge on the left hand side.
In the 4th picture you will see my car doesn't have a sensor on the left hand side either. Auto part Automotive fuel system Carburetor Engine Fuel line


Auto part Fuel line Engine Carburetor Automotive engine part


Auto part Fuel line Engine Vehicle Automotive fuel system


Auto part Engine Fuel line Automotive engine part Carburetor
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top