The following OBD II error codes are the most commonly found with this product type. Poor idle (necessary to pump the gas pedal to keep vehicle running).Black smoke coming from vehicle’s exhaust.Symptoms of a failing Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor may include: It may turn the cooling fan off or on, open the exhaust gas recirculation or communicate the need for a richer fuel mixture.Ĭommon causes of Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor failure include: The vehicle’s computer will use this information to adjust certain engine functions to keep engine temperature at an ideal level. This gives an indication of how much heat the engine is giving off. If the engine coolant temperature sensor, wiring, and harness connector seem okay, a faulty PCM could be the reason.The Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor (CTS or ECT) uses electrical resistance to measure the temperature of the coolant/antifreeze mixture in the cooling system. If the ECT signal circuit wiring is not the issue, the mechanic will remove the coolant temperature sensor and inspect it for corrosion or bent connector pins. But, if the resistance test shows an open circuit or high wiring resistance, the wiring harness needs to be repaired. Under a normal operating temperature, you should have continuity and low resistance in the coolant temp sensor. They’ll also check the wire resistance of the engine coolant temperature sensor. They’ll disconnect the engine coolant temp sensor and check its wiring harness for any fraying or disconnection. In either case, they’ll flush or bleed the engine coolant. They’ll also ensure that the engine coolant is not rusty or dirty. They’ll inspect the engine coolant system for air pockets. If other error codes are found, they may address those first. The mechanic will first use an OBD-II scan tool to verify the P0118 code and ensure that no other error code is present. Here’s a general guideline on how a mechanic will find the root cause for code P0118 : So, driving your vehicle for an extended time while in the failsafe mode will require additional repairs to remove the carbon build-up or fix possible ignition troubles.ĭiagnosing the P0118 ( ECT sensor circuit high input) diagnostic trouble code requires several steps. The failsafe mode may even lead to excessive fuel consumption and carbon fouling of internal components. The car’s speed will be reduced, and you’ll find it hard to shift gears. It will also cause certain features of your vehicle to become limited. On the other hand, some vehicles may go into failsafe mode, which can cause your engine to run rough or hesitate until it warms up to the operating temperature ( normal operating temp ). If your coolant sensor is defective, your PCM will also not know when the engine coolant temperature gets too high, which will prevent the engine from shutting down to protect itself from overheating. Your engine’s cooling fan and radiator fan will continue to run non-stop and wear out prematurely. If you continue driving with code P0118, you’ll be putting extra load on different engine components. While you may not notice any evident abnormalities initially, paying attention to the Check Engine Ligh t triggered by the P0118 code is still important. Your PCM reads this data and accordingly regulates the air-fuel injection, cooling fan, and ignition spark timing.īut if the ECT sensor signal circuit output is high (typically more than 4.7 volts) even when the engine has been running for several minutes, your PCM determines the sensor resistance is out of spec.Īs a result, it registers the DTC P0118 code and activates the Check Engine Light. The sensor resistance stays high when the coolant temperature is low, and the resistance drops when the coolant’s temperature increases. It does so by sending a 5-volt reference signal to the coolant temperature sensor. Your car’s Powertrain Control Module (PCM) uses the temperature sensor to monitor fluctuations in the temperature of your car’s engine coolant or cooling system. The engine coolant temperature sensor (ECT sensor or coolant temp sensor) is a thermistor in the coolant passage inside the cylinder head. P0118 is a generic diagnostic trouble code (DTC) defined as “Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit High Input.”
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