Parts for your 2013 Toyota Land cruiser-Temperature sensors

2013 Toyota Land Cruiser temperature sensors — what they do and how to look after them

Temperature sensors are absolutely fitted to the 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser (200 Series) and they’re central to how the vehicle runs. Technical coverage in the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series Repair Manual (Toyota Technical Information System, 2013 model year) details the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor in the SFI/engine control section, the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor integrated in the Mass Air Flow meter, the Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) temperature sensor in the AB60F transmission control, and, on 1VD‑FTV diesel models, multiple Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) sensors for DPF management. The Air Conditioning manual also specifies an ambient temperature sensor for the A/C amplifier. These systems carry standard diagnostics (for example ECT DTCs P0115–P0119, ATF temp P0711, IAT P0112/P0113, EGT/DPF P2471 range) as documented in Toyota’s repair information.

In day‑to‑day terms, these sensors let the Land Cruiser warm up cleanly, deliver the right fuel and ignition timing, shift the auto smoothly, protect the engine and gearbox under load, and keep the cabin comfy. The ECT sensor tells the ECU how hot the coolant is, the IAT tracks incoming air temp, the ATF sensor helps the transmission decide shift strategy, the diesel EGT sensors safeguard the turbo/DPF, and the ambient sensor helps the climate control behave itself in Kiwi and Aussie conditions.

There’s no fixed replacement interval for temperature sensors, Toyota treats them as monitor-and-replace-when-faulty items. As part of routine servicing (every 10,000 km or as per the vehicle’s schedule), a smart workshop will scan live data and check that cold ECT and IAT readings match ambient, confirm the gauge behaves, and visually inspect connectors, looms and earths. Keeping the coolant fresh and to spec helps the ECT live a long life, and making sure the engine bay isn’t soaked in oil or dust helps the IAT and harness plugs. On diesels, healthy DPF operation and no exhaust leaks upstream of the sensors are key.

When replacement is needed, stick with quality, correct-spec parts. ECT replacement is straightforward: work on a cold engine, safely relieve pressure, drain enough coolant to drop the level, swap the sensor with the proper seal, tighten to the repair manual torque, refill and bleed, then verify temps and clear any DTCs. The IAT (within the MAF) should not be touched with fingers, if cleaning is required, use MAF-safe cleaner only. Diesel EGT sensors seize with heat cycles, so use care to avoid damaging the bung. The AB60F’s ATF temp sensor is part of the internal harness, replacement is a transmission‑pan‑off job best left to a specialist.

• Common signs a temp sensor is crook: hard cold starts, rich running, high idle, erratic temp gauge, cooling fans on all the time, poor fuel economy, harsh or delayed shifts, MIL on, or limp mode on diesels during DPF events.

Good diagnosis beats guesswork: compare scan-tool readings to an infrared thermometer at the thermostat housing, check wiring integrity, and follow the Toyota repair manual test charts.

Popular questions about 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser temperature sensors

Where is the engine coolant temperature sensor located?
The ECT sensor on V8 Land Cruisers is typically near the thermostat housing/water outlet under the bonnet. The 3UR‑FE/1UR‑FE petrols place it on the water outlet, while the 1VD‑FTV diesel locates it at the coolant crossover/water outlet area. The IAT sits inside the MAF on the airbox snorkel, the ambient sensor sits ahead of the radiator support, and diesel EGT sensors are threaded into the exhaust pre‑ and post‑DPF. The ATF temp sensor lives inside the transmission as part of the internal harness.

Do temperature sensors need periodic replacement?
There’s no scheduled interval. They’re replaced when readings are out of spec, faults are logged, or symptoms show up. Regular servicing that includes scanning live data, checking connectors, and maintaining correct coolant and ATF goes a long way to preventing issues. If a sensor fails, use the correct Toyota‑spec part and follow the repair manual steps.

How can a workshop test an ECT sensor properly?
On a stone‑cold engine, scan ECT and IAT values and compare them to the actual ambient temperature. Warm the engine and monitor a smooth rise to operating temp. If needed, the sensor can be bench‑tested against the resistance‑versus‑temperature chart in the Toyota manual. Always confirm good grounds and clean connectors before calling a sensor faulty.