How can you tell if your car thermostat is closed?
Method 1 Testing at Home. At this temperature, you should see the thermostat begin to open. The part should be completely open when the water reaches approximately 10 degrees above the reading on the thermostat. If the thermostat is still closed at this point, it needs to replaced.
Where is the thermostat located on a car?
The thermostat housing is usually under the upper radiator hose. Unbolt the housing and remove the thermostat, using a screwdriver and pliers. Take the thermostat inside. There will generally be a number somewhere on the body, giving it’s opening temperature usually between 160 to 190°F or 70 to 90°C.
What happens if the thermostat is stuck in the closed position?
However, if the thermostat gets stuck in the closed position, the coolant can’t flow through the radiator and can make your engine overheat. To quickly tell if your thermostat is stuck, watch the flow of coolant through your radiator.
What is the diagnostic code for coolant thermostat?
P0128 is a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) for “Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature)”. This can happen for multiple reasons and a mechanic needs to diagnose the specific cause for this code to be triggered in your situation.
What should I do about my p0128 coolant thermostat?
Past experience indicates that the most likely solution for a P0128 is to replace the thermostat. However here are some suggestions on troubleshooting and repairing a P0128 OBD-II code: Verify coolant strength & level. Verify proper cooling fan operation (check if it’s running more than it should).
Can a thermostat be replaced without checking the vehicle?
Replacing the thermostat without checking the vehicle: If you ask any mechanic about a P0128 code, most certainly at least 9 out of 10 of them will tell you the thermostat is at fault. The vast majority of the time, they would be right. However, every once in a while it is possible that the thermostat will not fix this code.
What does DTC for coolant thermostat mean?
Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature) What does that mean? This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a generic powertrain code, which means that it applies to OBD-II equipped vehicles.