So, I was replacing the coolant temp sensor that goes to the temp gauge. While I was in there I decided to check out the main dual-element coolant temp sensor. Well, it crumbled into pieces and the wires pulled out of it, making it totally dead. Sure enough, the car wouldn't run at all without it.

Did I mention that I did this in the parking lot at work, totally stranding myself?

After frantically calling parts stores (none had the part), I was running out of options, so here's what I did...

1) I took the half of the sensor that has the 4 pins on it and removed it from the plug
2) I cleaned up the 4 pins (on the side that used to be inside the sensor) and removed the old wires from the posts.
3) I consulted WIS and looked up the temperature coefficient table for the temp sensor
4) I took two 470 ohm resistors, and soldered them to the posts in the criss cross pattern specified in WIS.
5) Insulated with shrink wrap and electrical tape.
6) Plugged my new "sensor" back into the sensor plug.

Now the car starts, but runs rough until it's warmed up. This is not surprising, because I have tricked the computer into thinking that the coolant temp is around 60 celsius.

Once the motor gets warm, the engine will run well enough to get me home tonight. I fully expect soot in my tailpipe.

Just thought I'd post this in case any of you wind up in a similar pickle.


Cheers!


-tinypanzer