Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

P0128

Schematics:




The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor is a thermistor that varies resistance according to changes in engine coolant temperature. The PCM supplies a 5 volt reference through a pull-up resistor(s) to the sensor, which is connected to ground. When the sensor is cold it has a high resistance (high signal voltage at PCM). As the sensor temperature increases, its resistance decreases (lower signal voltage at PCM). The PCM uses the signal voltage to determine engine coolant temperature. DTC P0128 sets when the calculated accumulated airflow exceeds the predicted accumulated airflow when the engine coolant temperature has reached a calibrated temperature. More air will flow through a cold engine then when the engine is warm.

DTC PARAMETERS
DTC P0128 will set if the calculated accumulated airflow has been exceeded (based on predicted airflow) when ECT sensor temperature has reached 70°C (158°F) when:
^ Vehicle has traveled greater than 2.4 km (1.5 miles) when vehicle speed is above 40 km/h (25 mph)
^ Engine run time is between 30 seconds and 30 minutes
^ Start-up ECT is less than 65°C (149°F)
^ IAT is greater than -7°C (19°F)
^ Calculated average air flow is greater than 20 g/s
^ No CKP, ECT, EVAP leak, fan control, fuel injector, fuel trim, IAT, MAP, misfire, TP, vehicle speed, P0130, P0602, or P1621 DTCs have been set.

DTC P0128 runs once per ignition cycle once the above conditions have been met.

P0128 is a (type B) DTC

DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
DTC P0128 indicates lower than normal engine coolant temperature, which most likely was not caused by a short/open or intermittent short/open in the ECT wiring.

Possible causes of low engine coolant temperature:
^ Thermostat stuck open
^ Cooling fans always On
^ Very low ambient temperatures
^ Corrosion in connector or resistance in wiring
^ Skewed sensor

Refer to ECT General Description for a Temperature vs. Resistance chart.