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DTC P0116: Engine Coolant Temperature Performance: Testing

  1. Due to the fact that the PCM compares the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor, Ambient Air Temperature (AAT) sensor and Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor to see if they are within a calibrated temp of one another, the use of a block heater can cause false readings for the PCM. Check with the customer to see if they use a block heater. Ignition on, engine not running. With the DRBIII® scan tool, read DTCs and record the related freeze frame data. Is the Good Trip Counter displayed and equal to zero? If yes, go to next step. If no, see INTERMITTENT CONDITION  under SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM.
  2. Turn the ignition off. Disconnect the ECT sensor harness connector. Visually inspect both the component and the PCM connectors. Look for damaged, partially broken wires, and backed out or corroded terminals. Ignition on, engine not running. Measure the voltage on the (K2) ECT signal circuit in the ECT sensor harness connector. Is the voltage above 5.2 volts? If yes, repair the short to battery voltage in the (K2) ECT signal circuit. If no, go to next step.
  3. Turn the ignition off. Disconnect the ECT sensor harness connector. Ignition on, engine not running. With the DRBIII® scan tool, read the ECT sensor voltage. Is the voltage above 4.6 volts? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step  7.
  4. Turn the ignition off. Disconnect the ECT sensor harness connector. Using a jumper wire, jumper across the ECT sensor harness connector. Ignition on, engine not running. With the DRBIII® scan tool, read the ECT sensor voltage. Is the voltage below 1.0 volt? If yes, replace the ECT sensor. If no, go to next step.
    5. CAUTION: Do not probe the PCM harness connectors. Probing the PCM harness connectors will damage the PCM terminals resulting in poor terminal to pin connection. Install Miller Special Tool (8815) to perform diagnosis.
  5. Turn the ignition off. Disconnect the ECT sensor harness connector. Disconnect the PCM harness connectors. Measure the resistance of the (K2) ECT signal circuit from the ECT sensor harness connector to the appropriate terminal of Miller Special Tool (8815). Is the resistance below 5.0 ohms? If yes, go to next step. If no, repair the open in the (K2) ECT signal circuit.
    6. CAUTION: Do not probe the PCM harness connectors. Probing the PCM harness connectors will damage the PCM terminals resulting in poor terminal to pin connection. Install Miller Special Tool (8815) to perform diagnosis.
    NOTE: Visually inspect the related wire harness connectors. Look for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded terminals. Visually inspect both the component and the PCM connectors. Look for damage, partially broken wires and backed out or corroded terminals.
  6. Turn the ignition off. Disconnect the ECT harness connector. Disconnect the PCM harness connectors. Measure the resistance of the (K4) sensor ground circuit from the ECT sensor harness connector to the appropriate terminal of Miller Special Tool (8815). Is the resistance below 5.0 ohms? If yes, if there are no possible causes remaining, replace and program the PCM. See PROGRAMMING . If no, repair the open in the (K4) sensor ground circuit.
  7. Disconnect the ECT sensor harness connector. Turn the ignition off. Disconnect the PCM harness connectors. Measure the resistance between ground and the (K2) ECT signal circuit in the ECT sensor harness connector. Is the resistance below 100 ohms? If yes, repair the short to ground in the (K2) ECT signal circuit. If no, go to next step.
  8. Turn the ignition off. Disconnect the ECT sensor harness connector. Disconnect the PCM harness connectors. Measure the resistance between the (K2) ECT sensor signal circuit and the (K4) sensor ground circuit at the ECT sensor harness connector. Is the resistance below 5.0 ohms? If yes, repair the (K4) sensor ground shorted to the (K2) ECT sensor signal circuit. If no, inspect the related wire harness connectors. Look for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded terminals. Visually inspect both the component and the PCM connectors. If there are no possible causes remaining, replace and program the PCM. See PROGRAMMING .
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