Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor - Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual

7 - 38 ENGINE
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER - 5.9L DIESEL (Continued)
Fig. 8 Engine Block Heater – 5.9L Diesel Engine
1 - BLOCK HEATER
OPERATION
The heater warms the engine coolant providing
easier engine starting and faster warm-up in low
temperatures. Connecting the power cord to a
grounded 110-120 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded three wire extension cord provides the elec-
tricity needed to heat the element.
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the battery negative cables.
(2) Drain coolant from radiator and cylinder block
(Refer to 7 - COOLING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
(3) Unscrew the power cord retaining cap and dis-
connect cord from heater element.
(4) Using a suitable size socket, loosen and remove
the block heater element (Fig. 9).
Fig. 9 Block Heater - 5.9L Diesel Engine
1 - BLOCK HEATER
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean and inspect the threads in the cylinder
block.
(2) Coat heater element threads with Mopar
Thread Sealer with Teflon.
(3) Screw block heater into cylinder block and
tighten to 55 N·m (41 ft. lbs.).
(4) Connect block heater cord and tighten retain-
ing cap.
(5) Fill cooling system with recommended coolant
(Refer to 7 - COOLING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
(6) Start and warm the engine.
(7) Check block heater for leaks.
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE SENSOR
DESCRIPTION
The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor is
used to sense engine coolant temperature. The sensor
protrudes into an engine water jacket.
The ECT sensor is a two-wire Negative Thermal
Coefficient (NTC) sensor. Meaning, as engine coolant
temperature increases, resistance (voltage) in the
sensor decreases. As temperature decreases, resis-
tance (voltage) in the sensor increases.
OPERATION
At key-on, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
sends out a regulated 5 volt signal to the ECT sensor.
The PCM then monitors the signal as it passes
through the ECT sensor to the sensor ground (sensor
return).
When the engine is cold, the PCM will operate in
Open Loop cycle. It will demand slightly richer air-
fuel mixtures and higher idle speeds. This is done
until normal operating temperatures are reached.
The PCM uses inputs from the ECT sensor for the
following calculations:
• for engine coolant temperature gauge operation
through CCD or PCI (J1850) communications
• Injector pulse-width
• Spark-advance curves
• ASD relay shut-down times
• Idle Air Control (IAC) motor key-on steps
• Pulse-width prime-shot during cranking
• O2 sensor closed loop times
• Purge solenoid on/off times
• EGR solenoid on/off times (if equipped)
• Leak Detection Pump operation (if equipped)
• Radiator fan relay on/off times (if equipped)
• Target idle speed
DR