Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2012 Ford Taurus SEFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Pinpoint Tests K: Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor: Introduction
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Ford Pickup, 2012 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2012 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2012 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE:
Regeneration may occur during normal operation. During regeneration, diagnostic procedures may display biased values. If a regeneration occurs during diagnostic procedures, allow the process to complete before continuing diagnostics.
This pinpoint test is intended to diagnose the following:
- ECT sensor (12A648)
- secondary cooling system engine coolant temperature 2 (ECT2) sensor (12A648)
- harness circuits: ECT, ECT2 and SIGRTN
- powertrain control module (PCM) (12A650)
TEMPERATURE VS. RESISTANCE VALUES (APPROXIMATE)
| °C | °F | Ohms |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 212 | 2, 080 |
| 90 | 194 | 2, 803 |
| 80 | 176 | 3, 836 |
| 70 | 158 | 5, 337 |
| 60 | 140 | 7, 556 |
| 50 | 122 | 10, 908 |
| 45 | 113 | 13, 216 |
| 40 | 104 | 16, 092 |
| 35 | 95 | 19, 696 |
| 30 | 86 | 24, 329 |
| 25 | 77 | 30, 000 |
| 20 | 68 | 37, 352 |
| 15 | 59 | 46, 797 |
| 10 | 50 | 59, 016 |
| 5 | 41 | 74, 940 |
| 0 | 32 | 95, 851 |
| -5 | 23 | 123, 485 |
| -10 | 14 | 160, 313 |
| -15 | 5 | 209, 816 |
| -20 | -4 | 276, 959 |
| -30 | -22 | 496, 051 |
| -40 | -40 | 925, 021 |
Factory Service Tools
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
Disclosure: Verified tool recommendations may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.