I'm sure you've heard this problem many times, but I need to check and possibly replace the ECTS in my 2000 SL2. My hands are way too big to even get the connector off. Any tips?

why i'm doing it:
The car starts rough, and won't start if it's already been running within the last 2 hours. If it IS a warm start, it'll take me 15-20 minutes of turning it over while putting my foot on the accelerator to get it to do anything. And even then, I have to make it consistently rev up for a while before going into drive to keep from dying.

It overheats when idling, and the temperature gauge never changes from cold. mileage has been pretty crappy recently.

Thanks for the help!

 

Could be two separate issues, but the first thing is to replace the ECTS. Enlist the aid of a SYT to get the connector loose. Make sure the replacement ECTS is the all-metal tip version. Double check the fuses for the cooling fan.

 

you are a dirty old man, OA.

The ects is a squeeze connector --- do not try to pry it off or you will break it.

 

thanks, guys

all fuses are fine (surprisingly).

i have read to drain the coolant before checking the sensor, would you also recommend this or do you prefer to just speedily replace it?

saturn and the auto parts stores nearby only cary the half-brass, half-plastic sensor.

a big problem i'm having is being able to remove the connector, my fingers are way too big to even grasp it as its positioned so poorly in that tiny little engine

 

saturn carries the brass tipped oem replacement -- OA meas the sensing tip must be brass -- the electrical connector part will still be plastic.

Hold a small child (or similarly small handed person) near your ICE COLD engine and have them squeeze the connector end and pull it out for you.

You need not drain all the coolant -- just do the swap with the engine cold to keep from scalding yourself on hot coolant. And set up a catch basin for the coolant that will run down the block while you are doing this.

 

Also, wrap the threads of the new sensor with Teflon tape, and install the sensor into the block CAREFULLY <-- do not overtighten

 

thank you OA -- forgot to add that bit of wisdom

 

the dealer one shouldn't need the Teflon tape as it already has something on it but the parts store one will need it

 

Get it from the dealer and get a new connector at the same time. I have big hands, size 14 1/2 ring finger and I was able to make the change with out any problems.

 

"my what big hands you have, sw2cam"..........