What causes a coolant temp sensor to fail?
The engine may run in fail-safe mode: Many Check Engine light codes related to the (ECT) sensor; could also be caused by other reasons. Such as a bad thermostat or issues with the cooling system; including even a leaking head gasket.
Why is my coolant temp not reading?
The most common cause of faulty temperature readings is a broken coolant temperature sensor (CTS). The part, which is normally located near a vehicle’s thermostat near the base of the radiator (consult your owner’s manual or repair guide) can get gunked up and fail.
How do you clean a thermostat sensor?
Thermostats can be cleaned by first removing the cover. Second, take a very soft brush (paintbrush) or compressed air to gently clean between the contact points and/or lever switches.
When to suspect a coolant temperature circuit malfunction?
The wire should have no resistance, unplugged from the PCM to the sensor. If it does, repair open in the signal to the PCM. If it doesn’t have any resistance on the ground signal wire and the resistance test of the sensor is normal, then suspect a faulty PCM. Other coolant engine light codes: P0115, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0119, P0125, P0128
When does the low coolant level warning light go out?
When you start the engine, the low coolant level light should come on for a second or two and then go out. If it doesn’t go out, either the coolant level is too low or there is a problem with the sensor system.
What happens to the p0115 coolant temperature sensor?
As the temperature of the coolant changes, the resistance changes on the ground signal to the PCM. When the engine is cold, the resistance is high. When the engine is warm, the resistance is low. If the PCM detects a voltage condition that seems abnormally low or high, P0115 will set. An example of an Engine Coolant Temperature ECT sensor
Can a low coolant sensor cause a PCM error?
The PCM and Low Coolant. Low coolant can affect the internal temperature of the engine, which is protected by the antifreeze. When the coolant is too low to effectively protect the internal temperature of the engine, the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor will provide a false reading to the powertrain control module (PCM).