differential oil temp sensor replacement - Honda Pilot

klunn · 04-29-2009, 10:04 PM

i have an '03 pilot with approx 118,000 kms (71,000 miles)..
i recently took it to the dealership to get vtm fluid changed. a few weeks after the change, the vtm light started staying on.
i took it back to the dealership and they indicated the code read faulty differential oil temp sesnsor.i did not get them to replace it.
i found instructions to replace it myself, and it seems to be not too hard. the only thing the instructions did not mention is if the vtm fluid must be drained before changing it.
anyone know the answer to this?
thanking in advance.

harley909 · 04-30-2009, 08:55 AM

Yes because as soon as you unscrew the sensor the VTM-4 will leak out.
It is easy enough to change it at the same time you change the the VTM-4 fluid. If you are a "do it yourself person" as far as VTM-4 fluid goes them do it at the next change, if not the dealer will whack you at least another 1/2 hr when they change the fluid. Kind of a rip off for the 10mins it takes to do it.
I changed mine. One of the terminals (posts) where the connector goes on was broken off. I would say it was due to less than great manufacturing. IIRC the sensor was about $70, which was alot of money for what it actually is.

klunn · 04-30-2009, 09:49 AM

Thanks Harley909.
If I can ask. how did you get the sensor off, as it is pretty tight in there. I recently explored under my pilot, and did remove the 3 bolts on the cover to find the sensor, and as i mentioned, it is pretty tight in there.
Thanks in advance.

harley909 · 04-30-2009, 09:59 AM

The sensor threads/screws into the rear end. I think I used a deep socket, but it may have been a wrench. IIRC it was either a 10mm, 11mm or 12mm. Be careful pulling the electrical connector off. When mine came off it had the one pin inside it still so when I went to put it back on it would not go on until I pulled that broken pin out. That's how I knew why the old one quit working.
The sensor is kind of like a spark plug in a way with a probe on the one end that goes into the rear end and the way it threads in.
Also don't overdo it when you tighten it either as you don't want to break it off or strip it.

04-29-2009, 10:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
klunn Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: home Posts: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	differential oil temp sensor replacement i have an '03 pilot with approx 118,000 kms (71,000 miles).. i recently took it to the dealership to get vtm fluid changed. a few weeks after the change, the vtm light started staying on. i took it back to the dealership and they indicated the code read faulty differential oil temp sesnsor.i did not get them to replace it. i found instructions to replace it myself, and it seems to be not too hard. the only thing the instructions did not mention is if the vtm fluid must be drained before changing it. anyone know the answer to this? thanking in advance.

04-30-2009, 08:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
harley909 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 104 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	VTM-4 Temp Sensor Yes because as soon as you unscrew the sensor the VTM-4 will leak out. It is easy enough to change it at the same time you change the the VTM-4 fluid. If you are a "do it yourself person" as far as VTM-4 fluid goes them do it at the next change, if not the dealer will whack you at least another 1/2 hr when they change the fluid. Kind of a rip off for the 10mins it takes to do it. I changed mine. One of the terminals (posts) where the connector goes on was broken off. I would say it was due to less than great manufacturing. IIRC the sensor was about $70, which was alot of money for what it actually is.

04-30-2009, 09:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
harley909 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 104 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Sensor The sensor threads/screws into the rear end. I think I used a deep socket, but it may have been a wrench. IIRC it was either a 10mm, 11mm or 12mm. Be careful pulling the electrical connector off. When mine came off it had the one pin inside it still so when I went to put it back on it would not go on until I pulled that broken pin out. That's how I knew why the old one quit working. The sensor is kind of like a spark plug in a way with a probe on the one end that goes into the rear end and the way it threads in. Also don't overdo it when you tighten it either as you don't want to break it off or strip it.

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04-30-2009, 09:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
klunn Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: home Posts: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks Harley909. If I can ask. how did you get the sensor off, as it is pretty tight in there. I recently explored under my pilot, and did remove the 3 bolts on the cover to find the sensor, and as i mentioned, it is pretty tight in there. Thanks in advance.

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