hey,
i've had my CEL on for a decent amount of time. i bought the engine coolant temp. sensor but haven't put it in yet. the car has been running fine, the only time i ever had a problem with it stalling was in the winter and it only happend 2/3 times tops. i know i probably should have just put it in but have left it and today i noticed it shut off. i know i still should replace it, but what's that all about? is it normal for them to eventually go off?

 

I had this happen to me once before with my intake air temp sensor. After so many times that the engine is started (don't know the actual number), the computer will delete the check engine light if it no longer recieves a problem in the system. Apparently there is not a problem anymore. Too bad you already bought the sensor.

 

the majic number is 50, then the ecu clears the code if the sensor is no longer failing.

 

2 days later...


check engine light comes on again, and this time my rpm's needle is bouncing up and down then stops...i go home, check what the code says, and come up with the infamous 05, 05. i thought at first it had a different code but then when i kept watching it only did the 5,5 one...how fun. and of course, i turn the car back on later to go out and it's gone. that bulbs gettin a lot of use lately.

 

you've got the sensor.... so just replace it already!!

 

Check the electrical connections on the sensor, they might be dirty causing interferance with the signal to the ECU.

 

Some of them will reset after 3 successive "drives" w/o a trouoble condition. Just make sure that the bulb didn't burn out. Does it still illuminate when you turn the key to on w/o starting the car? It should. If it doesn't, the bulb is probably blown. Good luck.