Circuit Description
The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor is a thermistor mounted in the engine coolant stream. The PCM applies a voltage (about 5.0 volts) through a pull up resistor to the ECT signal circuit. When the engine coolant is cold, the sensor (thermistor) resistance is high, therefore the PCM will measure a high signal voltage. As the engine coolant warms, the sensor resistance becomes less, and the ECT signal voltage measured at the PCM drops. With a fully warmed up engine, the ECT signal voltage should measure about 1.5 to 2.0 volts. DTC P0118 will set when the PCM detects an excessively high signal voltage on the engine coolant temperature sensor signal circuit.
Conditions for Setting the DTC
| • | Engine run time longer than 3 seconds |
| • | The ECT sensor signal indicates an engine coolant temperature less than -38°C (-36°F). |
| • | Above condition present for up to 1 minute |
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The PCM will illuminate the MIL during the second consecutive trip in which the diagnostic test has been run and failed. |
| • | The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame and Fail Records data. |
Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
| • | The PCM will turn the MIL OFF during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has been run and passed. |
| • | The history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction. |
| • | The DTC can be cleared by using the scan tool Clear Information function or by disconnecting the PCM battery feed. |
Diagnostic Aids
Check for the following conditions:
| • | Poor connection at the PCM - Inspect harness connectors for the following conditions: |
| - | Backed out terminals. |
| - | Improper mating. |
| - | Broken locks. |
| - | Improperly formed or damaged terminals. |
| - | Poor terminal to wire connection. |
| • | Damaged harness. |
| Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the ECT display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the ECT sensor. A change in the ECT display will indicate the location of the malfunction. |
| • | Skewed or mis-scaled ECT Sensor. |
| Refer to Temperature vs Resistance table. |
If DTC P0118 cannot be duplicated, the information included in the Fail Records data can be useful in determining vehicle mileage since the DTC was last set. If it is determined that the DTC occurs intermittently, performing the DTC P1115 Diagnostic Chart may isolate the cause of the malfunction.
Test Description
The number(s) below refer to the Step number(s) on the Diagnostic Chart:
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Verifies that the fault is present.
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If DTC P0118 can be repeated only by duplicating the Fail Records conditions, refer to Temperature vs Resistance . The table may be used to test the ECT sensor at various temperatures to evaluate the possibility of a shifted sensor that may be shorted above or below a certain temperature. If this is the case, replace the ECT sensor. If the ECT sensor appears to be OK, the fault is intermittent; refer to Diagnostic Aids.
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This vehicle is equipped with a PCM which utilizes an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM). When the PCM is being replaced, the new PCM must be programmed.
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed? | -- | ||
Turn ON the ignition switch, observe the Eng. Cool. Temp. display on the scan tool Eng 1 data list. Is Eng. Cool. Temp. display less than the specified value? | -38°C (-36°F) | |||
Does the scan tool indicate DTC P0118 failed? | -- | Refer to Diagnostic Aids | ||
4 |
Was a problem found? | -- | ||
5 |
Is ECT at the specified value? | 140°C (284°F) | ||
6 |
Is Eng. Cool. Temp. at the specified value? | 140°C (284°F) | ||
7 | Check for poor connections at the ECT sensor and replace terminals if necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Electrical Diagnosis. Did any terminals require replacement? | -- | ||
8 |
Was the ECT sensor ground circuit open? | -- | ||
9 |
Was the ECT signal circuit open? | -- | ||
10 | Check for a poor sensor ground or ECT signal circuit terminal connection at the PCM and replace terminal(s) if necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Electrical Diagnosis. Did any of the terminals need to be replaced? | -- | ||
11 | Replace the ECT sensor. Refer to Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Replacement Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
Replace the PCM. Important: The replacement PCM must be programmed. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming Is the action complete? | -- | -- | ||
13 |
Does the scan tool indicate DTC P0118 failed? | -- | System OK |
