Circuit Description
The engine control module (ECM) monitors the temperature of the engine coolant for engine control and as an enabling criteria for some diagnostics. The amount of air flow into an engine is proportional to the amount of heat an engine generates. The ECM monitors the amount of air flow into the engine to calculate engine coolant temperature (ECT). The ECM uses the calculated temperature to determine if the engine has warmed up to the thermostat regulating temperature. If the coolant temperature does not increase normally or does not reach regulating temperature of the thermostat, diagnostics that use the ECT as enabling criteria, may not run when expected. If the engine coolant temperature fails to reach the thermostat regulating temperature, before a predetermined amount of air flow enters the engine, this DTC sets.
DTC Descriptor
This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC.
DTC P0128 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | DTCs P0101, P0102, P0103, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, or P0700 are not set. |
| • | The engine off time is more than 120 minutes. |
| • | The engine speed is more than 960 RPM. |
| • | The ECT is less than 71°C (160°F) at start up. |
| • | The calculated ambient air temperature is more than -11°C (12°F) and less than 45°C (113°F). |
| • | The vehicle speed is more than 15 km/h (9 mph). |
| • | The fuel system is not in fuel cut-off. |
| • | The air flow coming into the engine has accumulated to more than 2,000 grams. |
| • | The engine block heater input has not been detected. |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
The ECM detects that the actual coolant temperature is 10°C (50°F) less than the calculated coolant temperature.
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails. |
| • | The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records. |
Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
| • | The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 4 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail. |
| • | A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes. |
| • | A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic. |
| • | Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool. |
Diagnostic Aids
| • | Use the J 35616 Connector Test Adapter Kit for any test that requires probing the ECM harness connector or a component harness connector. |
| • | The lower connector of the ECM is connector C1 and the upper connector of the ECM is connector C2. Refer to Engine Controls Component Views . |
| • | An engine that soaks for about 8 hours will help diagnose the condition. After the cold soak, operate the vehicle at highway speeds for 20 minutes while monitoring the Calculated ECT - Thermostat parameter with a scan tool. If there is a condition, the calculated temperature will be 10°C (50°F) more then the actual engine coolant temperature. |
| • | For an intermittent condition, refer to Intermittent Conditions . |
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
-
This step tests for excessive resistance in the ECT circuit.
-
This step isolates the condition. If the temperature changes, test for a condition in the low reference circuit. If the temperature remains the same test the signal circuit for a condition.
Step | Action | Values | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics Connector End View Reference: Engine Control Module Connector End Views or Engine Controls Connector End Views | ||||
1 | Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls? | -- | Go to Step 2 | |
2 | Is the engine cooling system low on coolant? | -- | Go to Loss of Coolant in Engine Cooling | Go to Step 3 |
3 | Is the customer's concern that the engine does not reach operating temperature or that the heater output is low? | -- | Go to Thermostat Diagnosis in Engine Cooling | Go to Step 4 |
4 |
Caution: Refer to Road Test Caution in the Preface section.
Is the Calculated ECT - Thermostat parameter more than the specified value of the ECT sensor parameter? | 10°C (50°F) | Go to Step 6 | Go to Step 5 |
5 |
Did the DTC fail this ignition? | -- | Go to Step 6 | Go to Diagnostic Aids |
6 |
Important: Return to this diagnostic procedure after you complete the thermostat diagnosis. Test for the correct operation of the thermostat. Refer to Thermostat Diagnosis in Engine Cooling. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 15 | Go to Step 7 |
Is the temperature more than the specified value? | 139°C (282°F) | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 8 | |
Is the temperature more than the specified value? | 139°C (282°F) | Go to Step 9 | Go to Step 10 | |
9 | Test the low reference circuit of the ECT sensor for high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 15 | Go to Step 12 |
10 | Test the signal circuit of the ECT sensor for high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 15 | Go to Step 12 |
11 | Test for shorted terminals and poor connections at the ECT sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 15 | Go to Step 13 |
12 | Test for shorted terminals and poor connections at the ECM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 15 | Go to Step 14 |
13 | Replace the ECT sensor. Refer to Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | -- | Go to Step 15 | -- |
14 | Replace the ECM. Refer to Engine Control Module Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | -- | Go to Step 15 | -- |
15 |
Did the DTC fail this ignition? | -- | Go to Step 2 | Go to Step 16 |
16 | Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool. Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed? | -- | System OK | |
