Parts for your 2011 Toyota Aurion-Temperature sensors

2011 Toyota Aurion temperature sensors — what they do and how to look after them

Yes, temperature sensors are absolutely used on the 2011 Toyota Aurion. Factory Toyota repair information for the GSV40-series Aurion with the 2GR‑FE V6 notes an Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor for the ECM, an Intake Air Temperature (IAT) element integrated into the MAF sensor, an ambient air temperature sensor for the air‑con and outside temp display, and an automatic transmission fluid (ATF) temperature sensor inside the U660E gearbox. The HVAC system also monitors evaporator temperature. These are all shown in Toyota’s Electrical Wiring Diagram (EWD) and diagnostic procedures for that model.

On this Aurion, temperature sensors quietly keep everything in tune. The ECT sensor helps the ECM manage cold starts, fuel mixture, ignition timing, idle speed and radiator fan control. The IAT fine‑tunes fuelling by telling the ECM how dense the intake air is. Ambient and evaporator sensors guide the air‑con so it cools efficiently without freezing the evaporator, and the ATF sensor protects the gearbox and smooths shifts by adjusting strategy as fluid warms up.

They’re not a scheduled replacement item in normal servicing, but a few checks go a long way. Under the bonnet, keep connectors clean and wiring tidy, especially near the radiator support and fan shrouds. Maintain the correct Toyota Super Long Life pink coolant and change it at the recommended interval — poor coolant can skew ECT readings and corrode sensors. With a scan tool, the ECT and IAT should read close to ambient before first start, once warmed up, expect coolant around the low‑to‑mid 90s °C in traffic. If numbers are wildly off, chase the basics first: connectors, grounds and coolant level.

• Common clues a temp sensor is unhappy: hard cold starts, rough idle, rich running, poor fuel economy, fans stuck on, erratic temp gauge, harsh/late shifts, weak air‑con or icing.
• Typical fault codes: ECT P0115–P0119 or P0128, IAT P0112/P0113, ambient P0071–P0073, ATF temp P0711.

If replacement’s needed, the ECT sensor sits on the engine water outlet near the thermostat housing. Work only on a cool engine, relieve pressure, unplug the connector, and swap the sensor with a new sealing washer/O‑ring as supplied. Refill and bleed the cooling system, then confirm readings with a scan tool and check for leaks. Always tighten to the torque in the Toyota manual. Quality genuine or reputable aftermarket parts are worth it, especially on higher‑kilometre cars.

Where is the engine coolant temperature sensor on a 2011 Toyota Aurion?

It’s mounted on the engine’s water outlet near the thermostat housing, at the end of the upper radiator hose. On the transverse‑mounted 2GR‑FE, you’ll find it under the plastic engine cover, towards the radiator side. Access is straightforward once the cover is off, but only work when the engine is cold.

What scan readings should I expect from the Aurion’s temperature sensors?

Before first start, ECT and IAT should sit close to the local ambient temperature. After a normal drive, coolant typically stabilises in the low‑to‑mid 90s °C in traffic, lower on the open road. IAT hovers near ambient while cruising, rising at idle. ATF temperature commonly lands around 60–90 °C in everyday use. Use these as general guides and compare left‑to‑right sensor trends rather than fixating on a single number.

Can a bad temperature sensor cause the radiator fans to run constantly or the air‑con to cut out?

Yes. If the ECT reports an implausibly high value, the ECM may command the fans on as a failsafe. A faulty ambient or evaporator sensor can make the air‑con cycle off or feel weak. Scan data and a quick connector/loom inspection usually pinpoint the culprit before parts are replaced.