Rep Power: 188

so i was working on my car on friday, trying to get my egr valve off when the ratchet slipped and broke the ect sensor. i ordered one from rockauto and soldered in my old one for the time being. yesterday i was driving and the solder broke and CEL popped on and the temp gauge dropped to cold. i flipped on my A/C and the heater and drove for approxamately 10 minutes. shut off the car and let it cool all the way. then i started it up (with A/C and heater on) drove for about 10 minutes on the highway and my lower radiator hose was cold. tells me that coolant is not flowing. i parked the car there and had my dad pick me up. i want to know if i could have caused damage to the engine and if the ect sensor controls the thermostat (which i think is mechanical). hopefully my sensor will show up in the mail tomorrow or tuesday and i can go pick up my car.

 
Rep Power: 812

thermostat is a self contained unit that functions on its own. it opens when coolant temp is hot and closes when its cold due to the internal wax. it will work on the car or in a container of water by itself. the ect is critical to many car functions. it even determines the fuel trims depending on if it reads that the coolant is warm enough. i dont think you did any real damage, but its an important sensor and should be replaced asap. i think your hose was cold due to not enough driving. 10 mins isnt much esp if its not very hot outside.

 
Rep Power: 188

alright, thanks...thats exactly what i needed to hear. i thought that the thermostat opens as soon as the engine warms up (i assumed that to be about 5 minutes lol) but i knew the problem so i kept my car under 2,000 rpm the whole time with the heater blowing. thank goodness for manual. hopefully that sensor gets here quick, my car is 30 miles away from me and i need it everyday. right now im wondering why i didnt just pick it up at kragen :P.