Ive had trouble a few times with my car not starting right back up after driving for a while. Is this because of my coolant temp sensor? I read somewhere on this site that this could be the problem and wanted to know if it was true. And if this is true how can i fix it? my coolant gauge did not work when i got the car but i do have a serperate gauge wired up. thanks guys i appriciate your time and knowledge!

 

Define "Not Starting", or at least elaborate.

i.e. When you turn the key what happens?

Does the starter motor actually rotate the engine?

Do you hear a click but nothing else?

Do you get absolutely nothing at all?

BTW the coolant temp sensor has nothing to do with the starter or the starting of the motor. In fact the ECM ignores its input until a reliable voltage is achieved from the O2 sensor (about 30 seconds to 3 minutes at idle.) It also ignores the MAF and some other sensors. On a warm start thats probably reduced to like 15 seconds.

Back to your problem - observe your "security" light on the dash. Turn the key to "ON" but not to "START". Your security light should stay on for 5 seconds or so and then turn off. If it stays on, or doesn't light at all that indicates a problem with VATS (if your car is so equipped and is not bypassed).

This could be the mythical (and often misdiagnosed) heat soak. Could also be a bent flexplate or bent pinion gear on the starter motor.

If your running your air a lot at idle (such as in traffic) you could be killing your battery. Might want to check for corrosion on the batt terminals as well as down at the starter itself.

Only way to really see whats happening is to remove your flywheel cover get under the car and have a friend crank it.

Best advice, if you have the $50 just replace the durned thing. If you get a lifetime warranty starter you'll be set for a few replacements before they get wise and actually test it.

 

welll it just wont turn over or makeany noises... i figured it was the starter but i read that coolant temp thing somehwere here... vats is bypassed and everything... so ill just replace the dam starter thanks!

 

If your security light goes off ,then you should be okay as far as the VATS system.The coolant temp(CTS) is used on cold start up ,the ECM checks the temp of the engine coolant and calculates the correct fuel/air for start up mode.It doesnt have nothing to do with actually cranking of the engine..On the starter theres a large cable hooked to it(positive) and next to that is a smaller stud with usually one wire ..this smaller one will be the wire that comes from the ignition switch as long as you have power there when the key is in crank mode and the starter isnt moving you have a bad starter.Make sure your cables at the battery are good and the battery is good.Your battery can have enough power to turn on lights ,but not enough to crank a starter.

 

Good to know Thanks for the correction.