Parts for your 2000 Daihatsu Yrv-Temperature sensors

2000 Daihatsu YRV temperature sensors — what they do and when to service them

Temperature sensors absolutely are used on the 2000 Daihatsu YRV. Technical sources including the Daihatsu YRV M200/M201 Workshop Manual (Engine Control System), Denso EFI system documentation, and Autodata wiring diagrams for the K3‑VE/K3‑VET engines identify several temperature-related sensors on this model: the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor for the ECU, an intake air temperature (IAT) sensor for fuelling and spark correction, and on many trims a separate coolant temperature sender for the dash gauge. Some variants with automatic climate control also include an ambient air temperature sensor for the HVAC.

On this YRV, the ECT sensor is the big player. It tells the ECU how warm the engine is so it can sort cold‑start enrichment, idle speed strategy, ignition timing and radiator fan command. The IAT sensor lets the ECU offset fuelling and timing as the air gets hotter or cooler, helping drivability and economy across Aussie and Kiwi seasons. A crook reading can cause rough cold starts, thirsty running, sootier exhaust, fans cycling at odd times, the A/C cutting out, or a check engine light with codes like P0115–P0119 (ECT) or P0110–P0113 (IAT). The gauge sender feeds the cluster so the driver sees a steady, believable needle rather than guesswork.

There’s no set replacement interval for these sensors, but they’re easy to check during a service. With a scan tool, compare live coolant temp to the actual engine state (stone cold should read near ambient, at full operating temp you’ll usually see around 85–95°C). Resistance checks against the workshop manual are also straightforward, Denso-style NTC thermistors typically read high resistance when cold and a few hundred ohms when hot. If readings are erratic, replacement is cheap insurance.

• Location tips: ECT is usually threaded into the coolant outlet/thermostat housing on the K3‑series engine, IAT is built into the intake duct or air cleaner on most YRVs, the gauge sender (if separate) is another single‑wire unit on the water jacket.
• Good practice: inspect connectors for green crust or oil intrusion, clean IAT elements with MAF‑safe cleaner only, refresh coolant on schedule to protect the ECT tip, and bleed the system after ECT replacement.
• Parts and fitment: use quality OEM‑equivalent (Denso) sensors, fit new seals/O‑rings, avoid thread sealant unless specified, tighten to the workshop spec, then verify temps and fan operation with a scan tool.

Technical sources: Daihatsu YRV M2xx Series Workshop Manual (Engine Control System), Denso EFI thermistor specifications used on K3‑VE/K3‑VET, and Autodata/YRV engine management and wiring references confirming presence of ECT (THW) and IAT (THA) circuits.

Popular questions

Where is the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor on a 2000 Daihatsu YRV?
On K3‑VE and K3‑VET engines it’s typically screwed into or near the thermostat housing/coolant outlet, close to the upper radiator hose. Look under the bonnet on the engine’s hose side for a two‑pin sensor in the alloy housing. Some models also have a separate one‑wire sender for the dash gauge nearby.

Can a faulty ECT sensor cause overheating?
The sensor itself won’t make the engine physically overheat, but a bad reading can stop the fans coming on when they should, mislead the ECU, and make the gauge lie. True overheating is usually cooling‑system related (coolant, radiator, pump, cap), so check both the mechanical side and the sensor data.

Do I need to reprogram the ECU after replacing a temperature sensor?
No reprogramming is required. The ECU uses fixed calibration tables for these thermistors. Clear any stored codes, bleed the cooling system if the ECT was changed, and confirm stable temps and fan operation with a scan tool on a proper test drive.