ECT Sensor Replacement...WTF

[CoreyRS]

Alrighty I have looked at Martini's DIY for the ECT sensor replacement.

After 15 min of hands being up my engine's ass I can locate the clip that holds the sensor on (the one you pry with a screw driver). BUT i cannot for the life of me even get a screw driver down in there to pop it off. Is there anything that I can remove easily to get down to it?

Also...if I can pry off that clip, then im home free right?

How in the hell do I put it back on once ive replaced the sensor?


blah, i hate cars sometimes.

Thanks in advance.

[Audi Skate Snow]

i take mine out byhand... should be really easy to get with a screwdriver. once the clip is out it just pops right up and put the new one in with new o ring.

put the new clip in by hand. push down on the sensor and push the new clip in.

[CoreyRS]

Alrighty that's encouraging at least. I'll finish my coffee and give it a try again in a few. Thanks

[Audi Skate Snow]

just take your time... get a long flat head and pry it out.. should pop right out

[CoreyRS]

alright I got in there and got the clip half off....but I cant seem to get the sensor itself to budge. I need to pull it out vertically, correct? The harness that it is attached to, do I remove that first? or after I pull the sensor out from whatever is holding it there?

Thanks again

[Audi Skate Snow]

yep pull straight up on it and it will come out no problem. you can leave the harness plugged in.

[CoreyRS]

ok...I can get my fingers around the sensor and harness...but it will not come out vertically. It wiggles a bit but I cant seem to get it to come even close to popping out. Is there anything else holding it in? Maybe the clip isn't removed enough? It is still around it but the sensor is in the second of the two elliptical grooves in the clip (toward the open end)...if that makes any sense.

[old guy]

You will have to pull the clip all the way out. Then wiggle the sensor as you pull straight up.

[CoreyRS]

ok ill try that? take the clip out completely?

I cant really get a good view of the sensor, but it seems to be seated in a metal fitting that is attached to the block? Is that correct?

[CoreyRS]

nevermind....I see it now: the ends of the clip fit inside the slits that are on the outside of the sensor housing.

[old guy]

nevermind....I see it now: the ends of the clip fit inside the slits that are on the outside of the sensor housing.

You got it. remove the clip and the sensor should pull straight up.

[CoreyRS]

update: (all of this for a sensor replacement is demoralizing) I got the old clip off (it is now resting somewhere where it will be a pain to get) and replaced the sensor. Now how do I got about getting it back in? I have another clip to use. Can I put the clip on so that the closed end is toward the rear of the car? I swear I read that somewhere.

[old guy]

update: (all of this for a sensor replacement is demoralizing) I got the old clip off (it is now resting somewhere where it will be a pain to get) and replaced the sensor. Now how do I got about getting it back in? I have another clip to use. Can I put the clip on so that the closed end is toward the rear of the car? I swear I read that somewhere.

Push the clip in from the back of the car. It works the same in either direction.

Edit: Here's another tip. Put a spare clip in your trunk. I changed the sensor along with the coolant flange about a year ago. Last month the plastic clip decided to split in half and the ECT sensor blew out of the flange. Luckily I had purchased 2 spare clips when I replaced everything. I now carry a spare clip and "O" ring in the trunk.

[CoreyRS]

good call on that....im almost there. I just cant seem to get the sensor deep enough into the "flange". Im assuming that the flange is what I have been calling the fitting?

But the sensor wont seem to go far enough into it


Update/edit: In case you were wondering, the sensor doesn't fit into the flange very well with 2 o-rings in there lol.

[old guy]

Update/edit: In case you were wondering, the sensor doesn't fit into the flange very well with 2 o-rings in there lol.

LOL!!! Put a little Vaseline or KY on the "O" ring and it will slip right in.

[CoreyRS]

and victory....thanks for the help Audi Skate Snow and Old Guy.

[garrisonrex]

Do you have any pictures of where it was, i've been trying to locate the ect sensor or clip or wire harness, or anything that looks like it but no luck. Here is a picture of my engine bay. Feel free to make me look dumb, i just don't know where to look?

[CoreyRS]

Sry...I don't have any pics, but you are looking in the right place. Check the DIY for ECT removal on A4mods.com. I would link you but I'm on my phone. Lemme know if you still can't find it.

[A4 Moda]

A little late to the party, but this is my "help" DIY that I added.

Hope it helps whomever tries to toss this into the weekend modding warrior routine.

CLICK IF you really want to experience frustration

[CoreyRS]

thanks Moda....added the link to A4mods too