Does this mean thermostat in mechanic terms? LOL

 

no it doesn't. the thermostat is mechanical and the ECT sends the temperature to the ecu/gauges

 

hes correct. The coolant temp sensor is on the block and is connected to the temperature guage in the car. The thermostat controls the ampount of coolant flowing through the system.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SMC Integra &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hes correct. The coolant temp sensor is on the block and is connected to the temperature guage in the car. The thermostat controls the ampount of coolant flowing through the system.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I might be wrong but I thought this sensor was on the side of the head.

 

My boys car at startup smokes white super bad and idles very harsh (up and down) then goes to normal. He is also throwing a CEL from his ECU. 6 blinks - Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. While hes driving his car his temp gauge will go all the way to H then back down. Could this be the reason for the smoke and the temp gauge shooting up along with the idle problem. I'm thinking maybe his head gasket needs to be changed. You can smell the coolant when his car is just idling.

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=788337

JSPECHB: Make sure the ect sensor is wired up correctly since its throwing that code... but I don't see how that would be causing the other problems.

The temp gauge in the gauge cluster gets its input from the ECT sending unit, NOT the ect sensor. So, problems with the ect sensor would not cause strange temp readings. **Note, this is how G2 tegs are wired (courtesy Helms.... I cannot veryify 100% that newer tegs are also wired the same....but it would be my assumption that they are.** Most likely the temp readings he is experiencing are correct, so he needs to be careful, if the engine is getting hot TURN IT OFF. Its better to be safe rather than sorry. Under what conditions does the temp go up and down? or is it completely erratic? Head gasket could definitely be the problem.....white smoke pretty much means water's getting into the cylinders somehow.

 

definitely don't run the car if it gets that hot, you could end up warping the head and/or the block.

 

my helms is showing the ECT sensor and the ECT gauge sending unit on both the B18B1 and the B18C1 on the distributor side of the head, right next to the water outlet cover. check those

 

Honda moved those around on some different engines/years. But all that I've seen, the sender for the gauge is separate from the ECT sensor for the ECU. They don't 'share' information.

The Helm book says what the resistance should be at a few different temperatures, if you (JSPECHB) tell us what year, what version...

Stuck thermostat, along with a bad ECT sensor, might cause what you're seeing. But since you say you smell coolant maybe it is the headgasket.

 

Its a 1990 Integra LS. B18A1. The temp gauge jumps erratic sometimes.

 

I have a 90 integra with a B20 swap. My car shut down well I was driving. I check my ECU and the code that it is giving me is a 6. Would the ECT shut my car down from running if it were to go bad?

 

I would say universally "no". You need to research and see what code '6' means, and go from there.

 

White "smoke" from exhaust is a sign of a blown HG.

Pull the spark plugs and inspect for any signs of rust, if you see rust you need a new HG.

Irratic temp. gauge movement is also a sign of a blown HG also a sign of air in the coolant system, try bleeding the coolant system and see what happens.

As mentioned by Colin
ECT sensor supplies ECU/ECM with engine temp, on head below distributor.
ECT sending unit supplies temp. gauge with engine temp, on head below distributor in front of ECT sensor

There is also the ECT switch, it controls the rad fan relay, on thermostat housing. 94

 

This is for a GSR but most OBD1 Civics and Integra are

TW= engine coolant temp sensor (sends signal to ECU)
Coolant Temperature=sends signal to gauge cluster
Fan switch=activates engine cooling fan

 

You've been had. This thread is ten years old. I doubt OP is here anymore.