GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 383980  Size: SF
Engine Controls Component Views
Cell 20: Engine Data Sensors
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

The PCM monitors the ECT sensor in order to determine how long it takes the engine to reach the coolant temperature required for Closed Loop operation. DTC P0125 sets if the PCM determines that the engine does not reach Closed Loop temperature in a specified amount of time. This test will not run if either the intake air or engine coolant temperature is too low at start up. The PCM will only run this DTC on a cold start and only once per cold start.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • DTCs P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, not set.
    • The engine coolant temperature is between -36°C (-33°F) and 40°C (104°F) at engine start-up.
    • The intake air temperature is greater than -7°C (20°F).
    • The vehicle speed is greater than 1.6 km/h (1 mph).

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The closed loop coolant temperature of 34°C (93°F) is not reached within a predetermined time. The maximum allowable time depends on the start-up coolant temperature and the amount of airflow into the engine. The range for the time is from 2 minutes and 20 seconds to 22 minutes and 30 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the PCM stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the PCM records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The PCM writes the conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The PCM turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • A last test failed, or current DTC, clears when the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • Use a scan tool in order to clear the MIL and the DTC.

Diagnostic Aids

Important: 

   • Remove any debris from the PCM\TAC module connector surfaces before servicing the PCM\TAC module. Inspect the PCM\TAC module connector gaskets when diagnosing/replacing the modules. Ensure that the gaskets are installed correctly. The gaskets prevent contaminate intrusion into the PCM\TAC modules.
   • For any test that requires probing the PCM or a component harness connector, use the Connector Test Adapter Kit J 35616 . Using this kit prevents damage to the harness/component terminals. Refer to Using Connector Test Adapters in Wiring Systems.

    • Using the Freeze Frame and/or Failure Records data may aid in locating an intermittent condition. If you cannot duplicate the DTC, the information included in the Freeze Frame and/or Failure Records data can help determine how many miles since the DTC set. The Fail Counter and Pass Counter can also help determine how many ignition cycles the diagnostic reported a pass and/or a fail. Operate the vehicle within the same freeze frame conditions (RPM, load, vehicle speed, temperature etc.) that you observed. This will isolate when the DTC failed. For an intermittent condition, refer to Symptoms .
    • If the engine has sat overnight, the engine coolant temperature and intake air temperature values should display within a few degrees of each other. If the temperatures are not within 3°C (5°F), refer to Temperature vs Resistance .
    •  If you determine that the DTC occurs intermittently, performing DTC P1114 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit Intermittent Low Voltage or DTC P1115 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit Intermittent High Voltage diagnostic tables may isolate the cause of the fault.
    • An engine coolant temperature exceeding 34°C (93°F), indicates that the engine is capable of reaching the proper temperature, but not necessarily in the correct amount of time. Repeat this diagnostic table on a cold engine, and measure the time required to reach the temperature threshold. When starting a cold engine, measure the amount of time it takes the engine to reach the specified temperature. The engine should reach the specified temperature within 5 minutes or less. If the engine does not reach the specified temperature within 5 minutes, inspect for the following:
       - Coolant level: Refer to Cooling System Leak Testing in Engine Cooling.
       - Thermostat operation: Refer to Thermostat Diagnosis in Engine Cooling.
       - Are fans on at all times? Refer to Electric Cooling Fan Diagnosis .
    • Refer to Engine Fails To Reach Normal Operating Temperature in Engine Cooling for additional information.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. An ECT failure could cause a DTC P0125 to set, so correct any ECT DTCs that are set.

  2. This DTC will not report a pass. The scan tool status for this DTC will never report a pass. The scan tool will only display when the diagnostic fails. The repair is not complete if the scan tool indicates that the diagnostic ran and failed.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Are any engine coolant temperature DTCs set?

--

Go to applicable DTC table

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition leaving the engine OFF.
  3. Disconnect the ECT sensor.

Does the scan tool indicate the ECT sensor is less than the specified value?

-35°C (-31°F)

Go to Step 4

Go to DTC P0117 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage

4

Jumper the terminals of the ECT sensor harness connector together using a jumper wire.

Does the scan tool indicate the ECT is greater than the specified value?

139°C (282°F)

Go to Step 5

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

5

  1. Reconnect the ECT sensor.
  2. Idle the engine.
  3. Observe the ECT sensor display on the Engine 1 Data List of the scan tool.

Important: Allow the engine to warm up if it has not already reached the specified temperature. 5 minutes is the maximum amount of time it should take to reach this temperature from a cold start. Less time is required if the engine is already warm.

Does the scan tool indicate the engine coolant temperature reached the specified value?

34°C (93°F)

The cooling system must be rechecked on a cold start. Refer to Diagnostic Aids.

Go to Step 6

6

Measure the resistance of the ECT sensor using a DMM J 39200 . Refer to Temperature vs Resistance .

Is the ECT resistance close to the value indicated in the Temperature Vs Resistance Table?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 8

7

Inspect the following for an engine cooling system condition:

    • Thermostat operation: refer to Thermostat Diagnosis in Engine Cooling.
    • Coolant level: refer to Cooling System Leak Testing in Engine Cooling.
    • Coolant to water ratio: refer to Coolant Concentration Testing in Engine Cooling.
    • Cooling fan operation: refer to Electric Cooling Fan Diagnosis .

Refer to Engine Fails To Reach Normal Operating Temperature in Engine Cooling.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 9

--

8

Replace the ECT sensor. Refer to Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 9

--

9

  1. Select the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) option and the Clear DTC Information option using the scan tool.
  2. Idle the engine at the normal operating temperature.
  3. Select the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) option and the Specific DTC option, then enter the DTC number using the scan tool.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text, if applicable.

Does the scan tool indicate that this test failed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 10

10

Select the Capture Info option and the Review Info option using the scan tool.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed?

--

Go to the applicable DTC table

System OK