to do anything...

MESSAGES LOG IN EXPLORE HELP US EDIT PRO

We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy.Cookie
SettingsOkay

wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust
wikiHow

CATEGORIESCARS & OTHER VEHICLES

How to Test a Temperature Sensor with a Multimeter

Download Article

PARTS

1Connecting to the Temperature Sensor

2Taking Hot and Cold Readings

OTHER SECTIONS

Tips and Warnings

Things You'll Need

Related Articles

References

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 1, 2020 References

Your vehicle’s temperature sensor is an important component of your engine’s cooling system, so if
you’re having problems with your car or truck overheating, you may have a faulty sensor. Luckily,
replacing a temperature sensor is as simple as plugging in a new one. However, you should test your
sensor first to make sure that’s where the problem lies, and you don’t have a deeper issue that needs to
be repaired. With your handy multimeter, you can easily take a few readings that will tell you if your
sensor is functioning properly.
Part

Connecting to the Temperature SensorDownload Article

Image titled Test a Temperature Sensor with a Multimeter Step 011

Place your vehicle in park, turn off the engine, and pop the hood. Put your vehicle in park so it’s stable
and won’t roll, and take the key out of the ignition so you won’t accidentally shock yourself. Open up
your hood so you’re able to access your engine compartment and make sure it stays open.[1]

If you were recently driving your vehicle, wait about 15 minutes to let your engine cool down so you
don’t burn yourself.

Image titled Test a Temperature Sensor with a Multimeter Step 022

Locate your temperature sensor next to your thermostat. Follow your upper radiator hose towards the
engine. At the end of the hose is the thermostat housing. Attached to the thermostat or installed right
next to it is the temperature sensor which looks like a small, black device plugged into a wire harness.[2]

The location of your vehicle’s temperature sensor may vary depending on your make and model, but
generally, it’s located next to your thermostat on your engine block.

If you’re working on a truck with a large engine, the thermostat may be located behind the metal
cylinder on top of the engine block known as the intake plenum. You’ll need a professional to remove
the intake plenum without damaging your engine.

Tip: If you’re having trouble finding the sensor, check your owner’s manual or look up your make and
model online to find where it’s located.

Image titled Test a Temperature Sensor with a Multimeter Step 033

Unplug the sensor and remove it from the vehicle. Use 1 hand to hold the wire harness and your other
hand to pull on the body of the sensor. Gently slide it out of the harness so you don’t damage any of the
wiring and place the sensor on a flat working surface like a desk or table.[3]

Image titled Test a Temperature Sensor with a Multimeter Step 044

Attach the multimeter leads to the outer connectors on the sensor. On the plug-end of the temperature
sensor are 3 connectors that look like metal prongs. Take your red lead and clip it to 1 of the connectors
on the far right or far left. Then, clip your black lead to the connector on the far side across from your red
lead so they aren’t touching each other.[4]

The connectors are used to plug the sensor into the wire harness.

If the leads are touching you won’t get an accurate reading.

Most temperature sensors have 3 connectors, but some may have 5. No matter how many connectors,
always attach the leads to the ones on the outside to keep them spaced apart.

Part

Taking Hot and Cold ReadingsDownload Article

Image titled Test a Temperature Sensor with a Multimeter Step 051

Fill a cup or small container with ice and water. Take a clean cup and fill it with about 6 fluid ounces (180
mL) of clean water and add few ice cubes to bring down the temperature. Wait a few minutes to allow
the ice to chill down the water.[5]

The cold water will serve as a reference measurement for your sensor.

Image titled Test a Temperature Sensor with a Multimeter Step 062

Use a thermometer to make sure the water is 33 °F (1 °C). After a few minutes, use a digital or analog
thermometer to take a temperature reading of the water. If the water is around 33 °F (1 °C), then you’re
good to go. If not, wait another 2-3 minutes to allow the ice to cool it down further, then take another
reading.[6]

Image titled Test a Temperature Sensor with a Multimeter Step 073

Turn on your multimeter and set it to DC. With your temperature sensor still attached to the multimeter,
press the power button to activate it. Locate the DC setting on the dial of the sensor and turn the dial to
select it, or select the DC setting if your multimeter doesn’t have a manual dial.[7]

The DC setting will give you a voltage reading that you can use to test your sensor.

Image titled Test a Temperature Sensor with a Multimeter Step 084

Submerge the sensor in the water and take a reading. Gently lower the end of the sensor into the water
until the entire device is fully submerged. Wait a minute or so for the screen to give you a reading of the
cold water. Once you have a reading, write down the measurement for reference.[8]

A common reading for a temperature sensor in cold water is around 5 volts.

Image titled Test a Temperature Sensor with a Multimeter Step 095

Move the sensor to a cup of boiling water and take another reading. Heat up roughly 6 fluid ounces (180
mL) of water in a kettle or in a pot on the stove until it’s boiling. Then, pour the water into a mug or
container. Submerge your temperature sensor in the hot water and wait a few seconds to let your
multimeter take a reading. Write down your reading so you can easily reference it.[9]

A hot water reading should give you around .25 volts.[10]

Make sure the cup you use is able to hold boiling water safely.

Be careful not to burn your fingers in the hot water.

Image titled Test a Temperature Sensor with a Multimeter Step 106

Compare your readings to the correct readings for your vehicle. Every make and model uses a specific
temperature sensor, which will give you specific readings whenever you test them with a multimeter.
Look online for the hot and cold readings of your vehicle’s temperature sensor and compare your
readings to see if they closely match. If they do, your sensor is functioning properly and you may have an
issue elsewhere. If not, you’ll need to replace your sensor.[11]

For example, if your vehicle’s temperature sensor is supposed to have around 5 volts in a cold reading,
check your measurements to see if yours closely match the correct reading.

Community Q&A

Ask a Question

What is your question?

Submit

Tips

Check your owner’s manual for the location of your temperature sensor.

Warnings
Be careful not to burn yourself with the boiling water.

Things You’ll Need

Multimeter (digital or analog)

2 cups or container

Digital or an analog thermometer

You Might Also Like

Adjust an Air Fuel Mixture Screw

How to

Adjust an Air Fuel Mixture Screw

Determine Gear Ratio4 Easy Ways to Determine Gear Ratio (with Pictures)

Find a Car Color Code

How to

Find a Car Color Code

Test a Vehicle Speed Sensor with a Multimeter

How to

Test a Vehicle Speed Sensor with a Multimeter

Change a Car Title Address

How to

Change a Car Title Address

Seal a Plastic Gas Tank

How to

Seal a Plastic Gas Tank

Fix Sun Faded Car Paint

How to

Fix Sun Faded Car Paint

How to

Clean an Abs Sensor

Pull a Dent Out of a Quarter PanelHow to Pull a Dent Out of a Quarter Panel

Start Riding an ATV

How to

Start Riding an ATV

Build a Dune Buggy

How to

Build a Dune Buggy

Get on the Delta Standby List

How to

Get on the Delta Standby List

React if a Power Line Falls on Your Car

How to

React if a Power Line Falls on Your Car

Fill Gas in Canada

How to

Fill Gas in Canada

References

↑https://www.backyardmechanic.org/how-to-test-and-replace-an-engine-temperature-sensor/

↑https://www.backyardmechanic.org/how-to-test-and-replace-an-engine-temperature-sensor/

↑https://www.backyardmechanic.org/how-to-test-and-replace-an-engine-temperature-sensor/

↑https://youtu.be/SGz44I90XcE?t=27

↑https://youtu.be/SGz44I90XcE?t=67
↑https://youtu.be/SGz44I90XcE?t=84

↑https://www.backyardmechanic.org/how-to-test-and-replace-an-engine-temperature-sensor/

↑https://www.backyardmechanic.org/how-to-test-and-replace-an-engine-temperature-sensor/

↑https://youtu.be/ZX3lbi9yGuE?t=224

More References (2)

About This Article

wikiHow Staff

Co-authored by:

wikiHow Staff

wikiHow Staff Writer

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate
articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors
the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our
high quality standards. This article has been viewed 46,869 times.

25 votes - 80%

Co-authors: 3

Updated: June 1, 2020

Views: 46,869

Categories: Cars & Other Vehicles

Print Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 46,869 times.

Did this article help you?

Yes No

wikiHow Staff

Co-authored by:

wikiHow Staff

wikiHow Staff Writer

Updated:

June 1, 2020

Views:

46,869

80% of readers found this article helpful.

25 votes - 80%

Click a star to add your vote

You Might Also Like

Adjust an Air Fuel Mixture Screw

How to

Adjust an Air Fuel Mixture Screw

Determine Gear Ratio4 Easy Ways to Determine Gear Ratio (with Pictures)

Find a Car Color Code

How to

Find a Car Color Code

Test a Vehicle Speed Sensor with a Multimeter

How to

Test a Vehicle Speed Sensor with a Multimeter

Featured Articles

Deal with Your Period As a Transgender or Nonbinary Person

How to
Deal with Your Period As a Transgender or Nonbinary Person

Upload Your Own Fonts to HTML Using CSS

How to

Upload Your Own Fonts to HTML Using CSS

Talk About Food in German

How to

Talk About Food in German

Create Redirects in HTML

How to

Create Redirects in HTML

Say Thank You

How to

Say Thank You

Treat Dry Facial Skin

How to

Treat Dry Facial Skin

Trending Articles

Celebrate Black History Month

How to

Celebrate Black History Month

Make Sandwich Wraps

How to

Make Sandwich Wraps

Drop a Pin on iPhone

How to
Drop a Pin on iPhone

Play Wordle

How to

Play Wordle

Watch the NFL

How to

Watch the NFL

Show Appreciation for Your Girlfriend in Words

How to

Show Appreciation for Your Girlfriend in Words

Featured Articles

Make Soft Pretzels

How to

Make Soft Pretzels

Wash Fruit and Vegetables

How to

Wash Fruit and Vegetables

Cook Noodles

How to

Cook Noodles

Make a Stress Ball with Slime

How to

Make a Stress Ball with Slime

Use Almond Milk

How to
Use Almond Milk

Make Your Cologne Last Longer

How to

Make Your Cologne Last Longer

wikiHow

CategoriesCars & Other Vehicles

wikiHow Newsletter

Helpful how-tos delivered to

your inbox every week!

Enter your email

Sign me up!

By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

How to Test a Temperature Sensor with a Multimeter

Home

About wikiHow

Experts

Blog

Jobs

Contact Us

Site Map

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy
Contribute

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Let's go!

Join us in our mission

For over a decade, we’ve been on a mission: to help everyone in the world learn how to do anything.
Today, we’re asking that you join us. Any amount that you can contribute helps us to continue providing
readers like you with trusted, accurate and up-to-date information. Please consider supporting our
continued work with a contribution to wikiHow.

Let’s do this!