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Troubleshooting

DTC P0118 ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION

DTC Detection Condition:




A thermistor is built in the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor and changes the resistance value according to the engine coolant temperature.

The structure of the sensor and connection to the ECM is the same as those of the intake air temperature sensor.

HINT: If the ECM detects the DTC P0115, P0117 or P0118, it operates the fail-safe mode in which the engine coolant temperature is assumed to be 80 °C (176 °F).






HINT: After confirming DTC P0115, P0117 or P0118, use the hand-held tester or the OBD II scan tool to confirm the engine coolant temperature in the DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / DATA LIST / ALL.

MONITOR DESCRIPTION

Monitor Strategy:




Typical Enabling Conditions:




Typical Malfunction Thresholds:




Component Operating Range:




The engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor is used to monitor the engine coolant temperature. The ECT sensor has a thermistor that varies its resistance depending on the temperature of the engine coolant. When the coolant temperature is low, the resistance in the thermistor increases. When the temperature is high, the resistance drops. The variations in resistance are reflected in the voltage output from the sensor. The ECM monitors the sensor voltage and uses this value to calculate the engine coolant temperature. When the sensor output voltage deviates from the normal operating range, the ECM interprets this as a fault in the ECT sensor and sets a DTC.

Example:
When the ECM calculates that the ECT is -40 °C (-40 °F), or more than 140 °C (284 °F) and if either of the conditions continues 0.5 second or more, the ECM will set a DTC.

Wiring Diagram:






Step 1:




Step 2 - 3:




Step 4 - 5:




INSPECTION PROCEDURE

HINT:
- If DTCs related to different system that have terminal E2 as the ground terminal are output simultaneously, terminal E2 may have an open circuit.
- Read freeze frame data using the hand-held tester or the OBD II scan tool. Freeze frame data records the engine conditions when a malfunction is detected. When troubleshooting, it is useful for determining whether the vehicle was running or stopped, the engine was warmed up or not, the air-fuel ratio was lean or rich, etc. at the time of the malfunction.

CHECK FOR INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS

HINT:
Hand-held tester only:
Inspect the vehicle's ECM using check mode. Intermittent problems are easier to detect when the ECM is in check mode with a hand-held tester. In check mode, the ECM uses 1 trip detection logic, which has a higher sensitivity to malfunctions than normal mode (default) using 2 trip detection logic.

a. Clear the DTCs.
b. Set the check mode.
c. Perform a simulation test.
d. Check the connector and terminal.
e. Wiggle the harness and connector.