***List of sensors and how to check***

PurdueGuy · 06-23-2005, 08:06 PM

*edit*NOTE: THE MOST IMPORTANT POST IN THIS THREAD IS TOWARD THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE - PLEASE LOOK AT IT AND HELP WHERE POSSIBLE!

We seem to get a lot of sensor questions on here. I was thinking perhaps we could use a simple list of the sensors and some additional information, such as:

Sensor name
location on car (pic would be awesome - I'd be willing to help take pics)
cars it is applicable to
common problems from sensor failure
how to check the sensor
approx cost at dealer

If this gets put together well, it would probably make a great sticky, or addition to the how-to section.

My alterior motive is that I don't think my car is getting the gas economy it should, and I'm curious as to what sensors I should check, and how

I'm currently sorting through my Haynes manual to find answers to my question, but I figure a guide like this could be a valueable addition to the technical section.

Sleeper SL2 · 06-23-2005, 08:20 PM

We have mitchell on-demand (automotive repair/ pricing program) here at school and if you give me a little time i could post them up here for you all. where would it be posted?

PurdueGuy · 06-23-2005, 08:23 PM

Where it is eventually would be up to the mods, but we could assemble something here. I'm going to try to take pics of any sensors I check while looking into my economy stuff, so that can help.

Oh, another good piece of info might be whether there are any specific notes about recommendations regarding sensors. For example, would a used sensor be appropriate, or should a person replaceing the particular sensor only buy new. Is aftermarket ok, or is Dealer-only recommended, etc.

Another thing that could potentially be useful would be links to past technical threads in which a person described their symptoms and it turned out to be that particular sensor. That could allow for more specific descriptions of symptioms, enabling readers to compare their problems with others' and look for similarities.

Also, if the mods prefer that this sort of "project" thread be done in general saturn section, or elsewhere, feel free to move it.

Sleeper SL2 · 06-23-2005, 08:29 PM

I know i can get what sensors, the locations of the sensors, prices on labor if replaced by a dealership, and possibly the symptoms but i dont know if i can get the info on if gettin a used one is fine (Dealership progam, it will always say to replace it).

PurdueGuy · 06-23-2005, 08:43 PM

Yeah, that info would be good. I hope to get several knowledgable people on this - glad to have your help, sleeper.

I'm going to be checking out the IAT on my car first, I think. Oh and on the pricing - part pricing would be good, especially for the DIY'er, and on labor, number of hours it's typically charged at may be even more useful than specific labor costs, since that can vary a lot.

Can I get confirmation that this is my IAT? *edit - nevermind, it is, and I checked it, and it's fine

*

http://img183.echo.cx/img183/4311/dscf0012s6io.jpg
http://img39.echo.cx/img39/6485/iats1ve.jpg

(dang I love having a digital camera - helps a lot with stuff like this...)

Sleeper SL2 · 06-23-2005, 09:10 PM

Abs Wheels Speed Sensor - Located On each wheel spindle.
Front Both - Labor time .7hrs, Warranty time .5hrs
Front One side - Labor time .5hrs, Warranty time .3hrs
Rear Both - Labor time 1.4hrs, Warranty time 1.0hrs
Rear One Side - Labor time .8hrs, Warranty time .6hrs

Crankshaft positions sensor - On Right Rear of engine. Labor time .6hrs, Warranty time .4hrs

Engine Coolant Temp Sensor - On Rear of engine. Labor time .9 hrs, warranty time .7hrs. Sensor Ranges for testing 212 F (100 C) 177 OHMS, -40 F (-40 C) 100,700 OHMS

Heated o2 sensor - In exhaust pipe behind catalyic converter. LAbor time .6hrs, warranty time .4hrs

Intake Air Temp Sensor - On intake air duct. Labor time .5hrs, warranty time .3hrs. Sensor Ranges for testing 212 F (100 C) 177 OHMS, -40 F (-40 C) 100,700 OHMS

Knock Sensor - On right side of engine below intake manifold. Labor time .6hrs, Warranty time .4hrs

Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor - On intake manifold right side of engine. Labor time .5hrs, warranty time .3hrs. Sensor Ranges for testing 2.5V - 5.5V Depending on altitude.

Oxygen Sensor - In exhaust manifold. Labor time .3hrs, Warranty time .2hrs. Sensor Ranges for testing: Lean .1V, Rich 1.0V

Throttle Position Sensor - On throttle body assembly. Labor time .6hrs, Warranty time .4hrs

Turbine Shaft Speed Sensor - On transaxle near differential.

Vehicle Speed Sensor - On transaxle differential.

Brake Fluid Sensor - Couldnt find location bu should be in or near master cylinder. Labor time .3hrs, Warranty time .2hrs

Output Shaft Speed Sensor - Couldnt find location but should be near output shaft of tranny. LAbor time .5hrs, Warranty time .3hrs

Input shaft speed sensor - Couldnt find it either but should be on tranny near input shaft (near flywheel or flexplate). Labor time .5hrs, warranty time .3hrs

Transmission Fluid Level Sensor - Program Doesnt have location. LAbor time .6hrs, Warranty time .4hrs

Tranny Speed Sensor (Manual Only) - No Location given. Labor time .5hrs and warranty time .3hrs

Tranny Fluid Temp Sensor - Sensor Ranges for testing 212 F (100 C) 177 OHMS, -40 F (-40 C) 100,700 OHMS

Sorry but i couldnt copy and paste pics of locations due to school restriction (Im a grown a s s man and payin 33k to come to school here and this is what i get). I will be lookin for symptoms and i hope this will help. Also if you all have any problems about parts let me know and i can look them up to see if there is any Tehnical Service Bulletins or Recalls on them to hopefully save u all some cash. Paul

PurdueGuy · 06-23-2005, 11:12 PM

what we need:
-I made assumptions when stating what the sensors were applicable to - please check these
-check acronyms for sensors
-Pictures of locations: I will try to work on some of this, but help is always appreciated
-how-to-check write ups: this might even be best done as a seperate thread, then linked to from this one when it is finished, since the list is rather large. If anyone would like to pick a sensor and do a detailed how-to writeup (with pictures, preferably), that'd be great!
-part costs: any information, dealer or aftermarket would be helpful.
-links to threads where a sensor listed has been the culprit, so that readers can get an idea of symptoms for that sensor malfunctioning
-any other information that anyone thinks would help, feel free to speak up!

Here's what I have, and I'll update it as we go:

-------------------------------------------------------
S-Series Sensor List and Information
The following information is for reference only, and not guaranteed to be completely accurate. Labor Time will vary by location, and are just to give an estimate of what may be charged. If errors or exceptions are found, please contribute to the information.

ABS Wheels Speed Sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series with ABS
Location: On each wheel spindle.
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost Not Found
Labor Time:
--Front Both - .7hrs, Warranty time .5hrs
--Front One side -.5hrs, Warranty time .3hrs
--Rear Both - 1.4hrs, Warranty time 1.0hrs
--Rear One Side - .8hrs, Warranty time .6hrs
Notes:
Related Threads:

Crankshaft Positions Sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series
Location: On Right Rear of engine.
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost $13
Labor Time:.6hrs, Warranty time .4hrs
Notes:
Related Threads:

(ECTS)(CTS)(ECT)(PCM temp sensor) Engine Coolant Temp Sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series
Location: On Driverâs side of the engine head
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost $8
Labor Time:.9 hrs, warranty time .7hrs.
Notes:
Sensor Ranges for testing 212 F (100 C) 177 OHMS, -40 F (-40 C) 100,700 OHMS
Another sensor may be nearby â the ECTS is a 2-wire sensor
Replacing with brass-tipped sensor recommended â resin-tipped may crack.
Related Threads: 1, 2, 3,
4

(O2) Oxygen Sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series
Location: In exhaust manifold (pre-catalytic converter)
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost $65
Labor Time:.3hrs, Warranty time .2hrs.
Notes:
Sensor Ranges for testing: Lean .1V, Rich 1.0V
Related Threads:1

(O2) Heated O2 sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series
Location: In exhaust pipe (post-catalytic converter)
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost $65
Labor Time:.6hrs, warranty time .4hrs
Notes:
Related Threads:

(IAT) Intake Air Temp Sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series
Location: On intake air duct.
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost $16
Labor Time:.5hrs, warranty time .3hrs.
Notes:
Sensor Ranges for testing 212 F (100 C) 177 OHMS, -40 F (-40 C) 100,700 OHMS
Related Threads:

Knock Sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series
Location: On right side of engine below intake manifold.
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost $23
Labor Time:.6hrs, Warranty time .4hrs
Notes:
Related Threads:

(MAP) Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series
Location: On intake manifold right side of engine.
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost $36
Labor Time:.5hrs, warranty time .3hrs.
Notes:
Sensor Ranges for testing 2.5V - 5.5V Depending on altitude.
Related Threads:

(TPS) Throttle Position Sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series
Location: On throttle body assembly.
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost $34
Labor Time:.6hrs, Warranty time .4hrs
Notes:
Related Threads:

Turbine Shaft Speed Sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series
Location: On transaxle near differential.
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost Not Found
Labor Time:
Notes:
Related Threads:

Vehicle Speed Sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series
Location: On transaxle differential.
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost $28
Labor Time:
Notes:
Related Threads:

Brake Fluid Sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series
Location: Should be in or near master cylinder.
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost Not Found
Labor Time:.3hrs, Warranty time .2hrs
Notes:
Related Threads:

Output Shaft Speed Sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series
Location: Should be near output shaft of tranny.
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost Not Found
Labor Time:.5hrs, Warranty time .3hrs
Notes:
Related Threads:

Input shaft speed sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series
Location: Should be on tranny near input shaft (near flywheel or flexplate)
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost Not Found
Labor Time:.5hrs, warranty time .3hrs
Notes:
Related Threads:

Transmission Fluid Level Sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series
Location:
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost Not Found
Labor Time:.6hrs, Warranty time .4hrs
Notes:
Related Threads:

Transmission Speed Sensor
Applicable to: Manual transmission only, both MP2 (SOHC) and MP3 (DOHC)
Location:
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost Not Found
Labor Time:.5hrs and warranty time .3hrs
Notes:
Related Threads:

Transmission Fluid Temp Sensor
Applicable to: all S-Series
Location:
Approximate Dealer Part Cost:
Approximate Non-dealer Cost Not Found
Labor Time:
Notes:
Sensor Ranges for testing 212 F (100 C) 177 OHMS, -40 F (-40 C) 100,700 OHMS
Related Threads:

Sleeper SL2 · 06-23-2005, 11:33 PM

lookin good. im still gonna try to find the symptoms. but for some reason i dont think they are on this program. We have another program for automotive repair and i will check that tomorrow if i have time but at latest monday. Lata