Circuit Description
The purpose of the engine cooling (EC) system is to maintain an efficient engine coolant temperature (ECT) level during all engine operating conditions. This is accomplished by using a thermostat to regulate the flow of engine coolant from the engine to the radiator. The thermostat allows the engine coolant to warm up faster by not allowing the engine coolant to flow through the radiator until the engine coolant has reached the thermostat regulating temperature. An engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor monitors the temperature of the engine coolant. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) uses the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor input for the following conditions:
| • | Engine control |
| • | Enabling criteria for some diagnostics |
The air flow coming into the engine is accumulated and is used to determine if the engine has been driven within the conditions that would allow the engine coolant to heat up to the normal thermostat regulating temperature. The diagnostics that use the engine coolant temperature for enabling criteria may not run when expected if the following conditions exist:
| • | The engine coolant temperature does not increase normally. |
| • | The engine coolant does not reach the thermostat regulating temperature. |
Conditions For Running The DTC
| • | DTCs P0105, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0122, P0123, P0130, P0131, P0132, P0171, P0172, P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0300, P0325, P0336, P0420, P0440, P0442, P0446, P0452, P0453, P0480, P0502, P0503, P0506, or P1441 are not set. |
| • | The engine has been running for more than 30 seconds and less than 1200 seconds (20 minutes). |
| • | The minimum intake air temperature (IAT) is more than -7°C (27°F). |
| • | The engine coolant temperature at startup is less than 35°C (95°F). |
Conditions For Setting The DTC
| • | The average air flow is more than 15 g/sec. |
| • | The vehicle has traveled more than 0.5 miles over 25 mph. |
| • | Enough air flow has entered the engine and the engine coolant temperature has not risen to 40°C (104°F) for 30 seconds. |
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will illuminate after two consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs with the malfunction present. |
| • | The PCM will record the operating conditions at the time that the diagnostic fails. This information will store in the Freeze Frame and Failure Records buffers. |
| • | A history DTC stores. |
| • | The coolant fan turns ON. |
Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
| • | The MIL will turn OFF after three consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs without a fault. |
| • | A history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles without a fault. |
| • | Use a scan tool to clear the DTCs. |
Diagnostic Aids
A skewed ECT sensor will cause this DTC code to set.
An intermittent may be caused by the following conditions:
| • | A faulty electrical connection |
| • | Rubbed-through wire insulation |
| • | Wire broken inside the insulation |
| • | Inspect for a faulty electrical connection or a damaged PCM harness. Inspect the ECT sensor signal circuit and the ground circuit terminals for the following conditions: |
| - | Improper mating |
| - | Broken locks |
| - | Improperly formed connectors |
| - | Damaged terminals |
| - | A faulty terminal-to-wire connection |
| - | A damaged harness |
| • | Perform an intermittent test. If the electrical connections and the harness are OK, monitor a DMM connected between the ECT sensor signal circuit and the ground circuit terminals while moving the related electrical connectors and the wiring harness. If a malfunction is induced, the resistance reading will change. This may help to isolate the location of the malfunction. |
| • | Use the Temperature vs. Resistance table in order to evaluate the possibility of a skewed sensor. Refer to Temperature Versus Resistance . |
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
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The Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check prompts you to complete some of the basic inspections and to store the Freeze Frame and Failure Records data on the scan tool, if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data that was captured when the malfunction occurred. The scan tool stores this data for later reference.
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Allow the engine to fully cool. The ECT sensor and the IAT sensor will read close to the ambient temperature in order to check for a possible skewed ECT sensor.
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Measure the engine coolant temperature with a thermometer in order to determine what the actual value the ECT sensor should be. Take into consideration if the engine has been operating and if the engine coolant has been warmed without opening the thermostat.
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This step simulates a DTC P0118. The PCM and wiring are OK if the PCM senses a change.
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The ECT sensor, the PCM and the wiring have checked OK at this point. Check for a proper thermostat and a proper cooling fan operation.
-
Reprogram the replacement PCM and perform the crankshaft position system variation learn procedure. Refer to the latest Techline™ information for PCM programming.
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check? | -- | |||||||
2 |
Are any other DTCs set? | -- | Go to appropriate DTC Table | |||||
3 | Check the engine coolant temperature (ECT) with the scan tool. Is the engine coolant temperature at the specified value or higher? | 73°C (165°F) | ||||||
4 |
Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |||||
Are the temperature readings close? | -- | |||||||
Does the ECT sensor accurately reflect the actual engine coolant temperature? | -- | |||||||
7 |
Is the ECT sensor value less than the specified value? | -30°C (-22°F) | Go to Diagnostic Aids | |||||
Connect a jumper wire between the following circuits at the ECT sensor electrical connector:
Is the ECT sensor value more than the specified value? | 130°C (266°F) | |||||||
Was a repair necessary? | -- | Go to Diagnostic Aids | ||||||
10 |
Was a repair necessary? | -- | ||||||
Important: Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming . . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | ||||||
12 |
Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |||||
13 |
Does the scan tool indicate that this diagnostic ran and passed? | -- | ||||||
14 | Check to see if any additional DTCs are set. Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed? | -- | System OK |
