Abstract: A system for regulating a flow of liquid coolant in an automotive cooling system includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet. A pressure operated valve member moves in response to a fluid pressure. An electrically operated valve member regulates the fluid pressure within the chamber. A sensor target is coupled to the pressure operated valve member. A position sensor is located outside of the valve body and outputs a position signal based on proximity of the sensor target. An electronic control unit calculates a target coolant flow rate based in part on a calculated target temperature for the engine and a temperature signal from a temperature sensor, determines a target position for the pressure operated valve member based on the target coolant flow rate, and controls operation of the electrically operated valve member based on the target position and the position signal.