Self-Aware Saturn

[richardf8]

For at least the past year, my Saturn's PCM has been ignorant of the coolant temperature because of a bad Coolant Temperature Sensor. Not a major problem though, because the A/C forces the cooling fan to run in any event, so, if I noticed things were getting a little warm, I'd turn on the A/C, which would cause the fan to run, and all would be well.

Well. last week, when I was changing the battery, I broke the Coolant Temperature Sender (not to be confused, mind you, with the Coolant Temperature Sensor). Now, I was as ignorant of the coolant temp as the PCM. This was OK, as it's been cool and running the A/C keeps things under control. But being ignorant of the engine temp really messed with my peace of mind, so I picked up a new sender, and figured, what the hey, I'll get a new sensor too.

This afternoon, I installed them, following the advice of my Mopar motorhead co-worker, and covering the sensor holes with my thumb rather than draining coolant. There were certain inevitable screwups, like installing the Sensor in the Sender's hole at first, but I had everything preped, threads wrapped with teflon tape and thumb at the ready. I estimate I lost at most a quarter cup of coolant, and probably closer to an eighth.

After the job was done I noted the temperature gauge working. I also noted that the PCM's newfound awareness of the coolant temperature had myriad positive effects: First, my idle has dropped from ~900rpm to ~600rpm. Second, the fan actually does come on -- a little warmer than I was letting it get, but still well under the redline.

To celebrate, morgan1 and I went out for breakfast, and then we paddling down at Lebanon Hills regional park -- a long lazy poke around Jensen lake, exploring many coves we've ignored in the past. This was also my first time using the the grey owl paddle since breaking it while on vacation. Al Gustaveson's repair of that paddle is beautiful, and the paddle is as silent on an underwater recovery as it was before it broke.

Well I'm off to bed -- I have much to do tomorrow, art wise - A HaNozri to letter and post, as well as a Cat-Tharsis to letter and pencil.

Comments

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

Congratulicions on the better purrformance!