GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The DTC P0125 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Excessive Time To Closed Loop Fuel Control diagnostic monitors the time passed before Closed Loop fuel control occurs. The engine operates in Open Loop when first started. In Open Loop the powertrain control module (PCM) ignores the oxygen sensor signal and calculates the air/fuel ratio based on inputs from the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor, the throttle position (TP) sensor, and the mass air flow (MAF) sensor. The PCM will begin Closed Loop fuel control when the oxygen sensor signal is active enough and the ECT sensor reaches a predetermined coolant temperature. The PCM expects to begin Closed Loop fuel control within a specified amount of time.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • DTC P0117, DTC P0118, and DTC P0335 are not set.
    • Barometric pressure is more than 75 kPa.
    • The intake air temperature is between -14°C and 70°C (7°F and 158°F).
    • The engine coolant temperature is less than 30°C (86°F) at engine start.
    • The engine has been running for at least 10 minutes.
    • The engine is not operating in Closed Loop fuel control.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The engine coolant temperature necessary to allow Closed Loop fuel control operation is not achieved within a predetermined time.
    • The diagnostic will run once per drive cycle.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 2 consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs with the fault active.
    • The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. This information is stored in the Freeze Frame buffer.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The MIL turns OFF after 3 consecutively passing trips without a fault present.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles without a fault.
    •  Use the scan tool Clear DTC Information function or disconnect the PCM battery feed in order to clear the DTC.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for any of the following conditions:

    • A DTC P0125 can indicate a skewed ECT sensor. Comparing the coolant temperature displayed on a scan tool with the actual engine coolant temperature measured with a thermometer may isolate the fault. If the displayed engine coolant temperature is not close to the actual engine coolant temperature, replace the ECT sensor. Refer to Temperature Versus Resistance .
    • Check for the proper operation of the thermostat. Refer to Thermostat Diagnosis in Engine Cooling.
    • If a DTC P0125 is intermittent, operating the engine under the following conditions can verify whether the fault is present. Clear the DTC by removing the DOME fuse for 30 seconds. Install the DOME fuse and reset the radio clock time. Refer to Radio/Audio System Description and Operation in Entertainment. Ensure that the ECT is less than 45°C (113°F). Start the engine and idle for 10 minutes. Monitor the DTC P0125 diagnostic on the scan tool under the Not Ran Since Code Cleared selection in the DTC Information menu. If after 10 minutes a DTC P0125 still appears in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the DTC P0125 diagnostic has not yet run. When the DTC P0125 does not appear in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the DTC P0125 diagnostic has run. If the MIL is NOT illuminated, and there is no DTC Status in DTC Information, the DTC P0125 diagnostic has passed. The DTCs MUST be cleared in order to view the Current Status of the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list. DO NOT forget that the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list only indicates that the test has run, not whether the test passed or failed. The DTC Information screen must be checked for Current or Pending status in order to determine the outcome of the diagnostic test involved.

An intermittent malfunction may be caused by a fault in the ECT sensor electrical circuit. Inspect the wiring harness and the components for an intermittent condition. Refer to Intermittent Conditions .

If the DTC P0125 cannot be duplicated, the information included in the Freeze Frame data can be useful in determining vehicle operating conditions when the DTC was first set.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers in the diagnostic table.

  1. The Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls prompts the technician to complete some basic checks and store the Freeze Frame data on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data taken when the fault occurred. The information is then stored in the scan tool for later reference.

  2. This step compares the engine coolant temperature (ECT) temperature to the intake air temperature (IAT). This inspection is to be performed when the vehicle has reached the ambient room temperature. At that time both the surrounding air temperature and the engine coolant temperature are nearly equal. If the ECT sensor and circuit are OK, both sensors should indicate the same temperature.

  3. The fault not present indicates the condition that caused DTC P0125 to set is intermittent and not currently present. If no other DTCs are stored, refer to Diagnostic Aids for additional information on diagnosing an intermittent DTC P0125.

  4. Clearing the DTCs by removing the DOME fuse also clears the PCM long term memory. Using the scan tool to clear DTCs leaves the long term memory active. DTC emitting diagnostics may not run to completion as expected unless the long term memory is cleared. Removal of the DOME fuse also clears the time display of the radio. The DTC P0125 diagnostic can be monitored on the scan tool under the Not Ran Since Code Cleared selection in the DTC Information menu. If a DTC P0125 appears in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the DTC P0125 diagnostic has not yet run. When the DTC P0125 does not appear in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the DTC P0125 diagnostic has run. If the MIL is NOT illuminated, and there is no Pending DTC Status in DTC Information, the DTC P0125 diagnostic has passed. The DTCs MUST be cleared in order to view the Current Status of the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list. DO NOT forget that the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list only indicates that the test has run, not whether the test passed or failed. The DTC Information screen must be checked for Current or Pending status, in order to determine the outcome of the diagnostic test involved.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

Is a DTC  P0118 also set?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Allow the engine to cool to the ambient air temperature.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, leaving the engine OFF.
  3. Compare the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor reading to the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor reading on a scan tool.

Are the ECT and the IAT readings within 2 or 3 degrees of each other?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 6

4

  1. Start the engine and immediately observe the ECT on the scan tool.
  2. Continue to observe the ECT while idling the engine for 10 minutes.

Does the ECT increase by more than the specified value within the 10 minutes?

20°C (68°F)

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 8

5

The fault is not present.

Are there any DTCs stored that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

Go to Diagnostic Aids

6

  1. Measure the resistance of the ECT sensor with a DMM.
  2. Compare the measured resistance of the ECT sensor with the resistance values in the Temperature vs Resistance table. Refer to Temperature Versus Resistance .

Is the resistance of the ECT sensor within specifications?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 10

7

  1. Check for any of the following conditions:
  2. • A high resistance in the ECT sensor wiring
    • A faulty connection at the ECT sensor
    • A faulty connection at the PCM
  3. Repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 11

8

  1. Inspect the engine cooling system for all of the following:
  2. • The correct coolant level--Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
    • The correct operation of the cooling system--Refer to Engine Fails To Reach Normal Operating Temperature in Engine Cooling.
    • The correct operation of the thermostat--Refer to Thermostat Diagnosis in Engine Cooling.
  3. Repair as necessary.

Did you complete the action?

--

Go to Step 12

--

9

  1. Test the ECT sensor ground circuit for the following conditions:
  2. • An open circuit
    • High resistance
    • Poor electrical connections
  3. Repair the ground circuit as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 11

10

Replace the ECT sensor. Refer to Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 12

--

11

Important: The replacement PCM must be programmed.

Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 12

--

12

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the DOME fuse for 30 seconds.
  3. Install the DOME fuse.
  4. Reset the radio clock time. Refer to Radio/Audio System Description and Operation in Entertainment.
  5. Start the engine.
  6. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text or until the DTC P0125 diagnostic test has run.

Does the DTC run and pass?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 2

13

With a scan tool, observe the stored information, Capture Info.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK