2002 Chevrolet Tracker

2002 Accessories & Equipment Instrument Panel, Gages, And Console - Tracker

Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Gage

The magnetic field of 2 coils moves the pointer of the engine coolant temperature (ECT) gage. The coils are at
right angles to each other. Voltage applies to the H coil from the IG fuse. The circuit divides at the opposite
(ground) side of the coil. One path seeks a ground through coil C. The other path seeks a ground through the
variable resistor in the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sending unit.

The resistance in the ECT sending unit is high when the engine coolant temperature is low. Current flows
through the H coil and the C coil to ground at G103 because current always seeks the path of the least
resistance. Because the length of the C coil winding is twice the length of the coil H winding, the magnetic filed
that coil C generates is twice as strong as the magnetic field that coil H generates. The magnetic field therefore
pulls the pointer to the C position.

As the engine coolant temperature increases, the resistance in the ECT sending unit decreases. Since current
always seeks the path of the least resistance, more current begins to bypass the C coil and travel directly to
ground through the ECT sending unit. The coil H magnetic field then becomes stronger than the coil C
magnetic field, causing the pointer to move toward the H position.

miércoles, 7 de agosto de 2019 2:45:46

2:45:43 p. m. Page 1 © 2011 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.