In 1976, Honda added a new vehicle to its growing lineup of automobiles, the Accord. The 2005 Honda Accord came standard with a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that produced 160 horsepower with a 3.0-liter, V-6 engine available that produced 240 horsepower. Honda Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2, a thermostat, radiator and cooling fans kept the engine at an acceptable operating temperature. This engine used an coolant temperature sensor to control when the fans turn on and off, as well as relaying the coolant temperature to the temperature gauge in the instrument cluster. Replacing this sensor does not require much work.
Remove the cap from the Accord's radiator.
Raise the front of the Accord, using a floor jack, and slide jack stands under the vehicle's subframe. Lower the Accord onto the jack stands and remove the floor jack.
Crawl under the Accord's radiator and slide the drain pan under the petcock -- radiator drain plug. Loosen the petcock by hand, and allow all of the coolant to drain from the radiator. Reinstall and tighten the petcock once all of the coolant has drained from the radiator.
Locate the engine coolant temperature sensor on the lower, driver's side of the radiator. Lift up on the locking tab on the ECT sensor wiring harness and unplug the harness.
Remove the ECT sensor from the radiator, using a ratchet and socket.
Coat the O-ring on the new sensor with new Honda Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2. Install the new ECT sensor and tighten it to 17 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.
Raise the Accord off the jack stands, using a floor jack, and remove the stands from under the vehicle. Lower the Accord to the ground.
Fill the coolant overflow container to the "Max" line with Honda Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2. Fill the radiator to the base of the filler neck with Honda Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2.
Install the radiator cap and turn it to its first stop. This holds the cap in place, but it's loosely help on the radiator.
Turn on the Accord's engine and allow it to warm up and wait for the cooling fan to turn on and off two times. Turn the engine off.
Remove the cap, using a clean shop rag to insulate your hand, and check the coolant level. Add Honda Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 until the level reaches the base of the radiator's filler neck and tighten the radiator cap. In total, the Accord's cooling system holds 1.32 to 1.77 gallons of Honda Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2, depending on the vehicle's options.
