Or leave the sensor installed, check resistance directly at sensor with connector removed. With engine stone cold (equal to ambient outside temp) check resistance of ect and compare to service manual. For example suppose ambient temp is 80 degrees, resistance should be 140 ohms, and you read 139.3 ohms, then the ect is good. Those values I call out are just arbitrary, you'll have to refer to service manuals for exact figures. You could also warm engine up to operating temp (assuming it is close to 200 degrees) then check resistance also as a comparative reading.

okay, should I jump the wires at the temp gauge on the cluster, or go to the temp sensor on the block?


-justin

Go directly to the ect sensor on the block, disconnect the the connector from ect, then place ohmmeter across the sensor to read resistance.

okay, hopefully she'll be a running next weekend, and i'll be able to test it!

thanks guys
-justin

I'd have to look to be sure, but I think my ECT is a single wire. Read that wire to ground.

When you remove the connector from the ect you should be looking at 2 pins there, place ohmeter across pins A & B on ect. Resistance is inversely proportional to temperature. Here'* a few temp/resistance specs out of 2001 service manual.
212 degrees=177 ohms
194 degrees=241 ohms
86=2238
77=2796
68=3520
The ECT inputs to the PCM which in turn communicates data to the IP. Hope some of this info is useful.