I am having the same problem!!..It started a couple of days ago...I went to start my car(96 960..239,000 miles with new head valves etc) and the engine just wouldnt start...it was like I was out of gas...It would sputter like it was almost going to start then nothing...I kept turning the motor over till the battery went dead..

I also noticed that when i turn my key to the on position...my temp gage would go to half way...as if the car had been running a while..

Next...I jumped my car from a friends truck and kept turning and turning...smashing the gas peddle to the floor ..and after about 10 tries...the engine finally started....but I had to keep feathering the gas because it would not idle on its own...after about a minute...i could remove my foot from the peddle and it would idle on its own....However the MAF that normally kicks in about a minute after i start my car...didnt come on...

Once the car is started and running....it runs great..retarts just fine until the next morning...

This morning.... after several attemps to start...it started and the cooling fan came on and wouldnt shut off...

even after I turned off the motor ..it kept running...I had to disconnect the fan relay to keep from running down battery...and temp gauge was at middle..and car had not been running for more than 60 sec..


Well thats whats going on...Please advise...u guys...henry especially has always been right on the money....

 

89 views and not one response..u guys are f****kin great

 

Coolant Temp sensor is bad. Is located next to the thermostat.

 

Like Gaby said, CTS most likely is kaput. Yet, in the spirit of "diagnose before slap a part on", take out the CTS, boil some water and measure resistance:

COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR RESISTANCE TABLE
Temperature -  F (  C) Ohms
850 & 960
32 (0) ..................................... 7300
68 (20) .................................... 2800
176 (80) .................................... 300
212 (100) ................................... 150

p.s. many of us don't come here everyday, so if you want comments you can PM.

 

Thank you!..
Q: IF I were to simply disconnect the CTS (unplug) would that allow my car to start?

 

Maybe not. Try it.

 

I unplugged the CTS ..and the car started.(very rough)I took a good minute before engine would idle on its own. I reconnected the plug while car was at idle. This allowed me to drive the car down to auto parts store to purchase new CTS and thermostat. I also unplugged the high speed connector on the 2 speed cooling fan relay...allowing me to turn the motor off without having to worry about the high speed of the 2 speed fan running down my battery...

 

Right again henry! It was the coolant temp sender/sensor. Replaced it as well as the thermostat..... Car is running great again.

Thanks again Henry....
Thanks Gabby