GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 1999 🢒 LeSabre 🢒 DTC 🢒 DTC P1115 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit Intermittent High Voltage

Object Number: 195809 Size: SF
Engine Controls Components
Engine Controls Schematics
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

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. If the PCM detects an ECT signal volage that is intermittently greater than the range of the ECT sensor, DTC P1115 will set.

Conditions for Running the DTC

Engine has been running for longer than 3 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The ECT sensor intermittently indicates a signal voltage greater than 4.8 volts.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

The PCM stores conditions which were present when the DTC set as Failure Records only. This information will not be stored as Freeze Frame Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
    • The DTC becomes history when the conditions for setting the DTC are no longer present.
    • The history DTC clears after 40 malfunction free warm-up cycles.
    • The PCM receives a clear code command from the scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

    • Poor connection at the PCM.
        Inspect harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and 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 Versus Resistance table.

Reviewing the Fail Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.

DTC P1115 - ECT Sensor Circuit Intermittent High Voltage

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Select Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) info, Last Test Fail and note any other DTCs set.

Is DTC P0118 also set?

--

Go to DTC P0118 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit High Voltage

Go to Step 3

3

Is DTC P1106, P1111, and/or P1121 also set?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 4

4
  1. Check for a poor sensor ground circuit terminal connection at the ECT sensor.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Intermittents and Poor Connections Diagnosis .

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 5

5
  1. Check for a poor ECT signal circuit terminal connection at the ECT sensor.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Intermittents and Poor Connections Diagnosis .

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 6

6
  1. Check the ECT signal circuit between the ECT sensor connector and the PCM for an intermittent open.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Intermittents and Poor Connections Diagnosis .

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 7

7
  1. Check the ECT signal circuit between the ECT sensor connector and the PCM for an intermittent short to voltage.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Intermittents and Poor Connections Diagnosis .

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 8

8
  1. Check for a poor sensor ground circuit terminal connection at the PCM.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Intermittents and Poor Connections Diagnosis .

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 9

9
  1. Check for an intermittent open in the sensor ground circuit.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Intermittents and Poor Connections Diagnosis .

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Diagnostic Aids

10
  1. Review and record scan tool Fail Records data.
  2. Clear DTCs.
  3. Operate the vehicle within Fail Records conditions as noted.
  4. Monitor Specific DTC info for DTC P1115, using a scan tool.

Does scan tool indicate DTC P1115 failed?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK