External Temperature Sensor Location?

[dbogey]

I've got a 2000 SEL who's external temperature sensor seems to be on the fritz. It's a beautiful day with highs in the upper 70's low 80's and the external temp sensor is stuck on 53 degrees... My question is, where is this sensor actually located, where can I purchase a new one, and does the engine use data from this sensor to manage engine parameters?

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

DB

[OldFaithful]

My 2000 SEL also had a bum temp sensor. It is available at the Ford Parts Counter. I don't recall the price but maybe $20 or my Scotch blood would still be venting.

It is located in your front grill and will take you a maximum of two minutes to change it. Down in the right side of your front grill, you can see it from out front of the vehicle. The sensor has two studs on it that stick into two holes of the plastic of the front grill. Just grasp the offending sensor and pull the sensor and those studs away from the plastic mounting service and the wiring harness has enough length to pull it forward so that you can see to disconnect the old unit and plugin the new one and put the new studs into the original holes and you are done.

There is no battery to disconnect, no special tools necessary if you still have both hands and fingers still attached and no mechanical aptitude necessary. Ford offered to change mine for a 30 minute labor charge and would not tell me where it was located. I found that it is handy and easy to change. Once you locate it, you can bend over, grasp it with your hand, pull it out, replace it and be gone in 30 seconds.

Good luck.

Jim

[dbogey]

Jim,
Thanks a bunch... little problems like that just annoy the crap out of me and without a manual, it might have been rather challenging to find... besides.. I'm looking to sell the van and something like that could easily deter a potential buyer.. I'll buy the part on Monday and let you know how accurate your Scotch blood really was (single malt I trust)...

Cheers,
DB