
#Coolant thermostat check engine light code
Common mistakes when diagnosing the P0128 code I won’t go into detail on this because you need factory-level information that varies car by car, and you need good knowledge of electronic diagnostics to prevent causing damage to the vehicle. In very rare cases, there can be a problem with the supply voltage that is supplied by the Engine Control Module. If the connector is okay, then generally the sensor is at fault. If this is the case, the connectors will typically deteriorate and cause a poor connection. If the scan tool reading does not match the thermometer reading closely, then there is an issue with the sensor side of the car. The temperature from the thermometer should be around 200 degrees fahrenheit, normally. You need to compare this reading to one obtained by an infrared thermometer. To do this accurately, you need a scan tool, but a reading is also possible to obtain if your car a has a temperature gauge. If the hose gets hot all of sudden like it should, then the next thing to check is the reading you are getting from the coolant temperature sensor. If the radiator hose just slowly warms up and doesn’t get hot all of a sudden, the cause is the thermostat being stuck open. You have to be careful because it is hot enough that you could be burned. When the thermostat opens, very hot coolant should start to flow and quickly warm the radiator hose up. Generally speaking, the hose should be barely warm until the thermostat opens. How does a mechanic diagnose the P0128 code?ĭiagnostic methods can vary from mechanic to mechanic but the first thing I check is to see how hot the coolant temperature is when coolant starts flowing through the radiator hose connected to the thermostat. Heater is not hot enough due to the coolant temperature in the engine being lowĬar takes too long to warm up, or the temperature gauge does not go up as high as it used to The next cause is a problem with the engine coolant temperature sensor or the wiring associated with the sensor. The most common cause is an engine coolant thermostat that has stuck open or is opening prematurely. The Engine Control Module (ECM) determines this length of time based on ambient temperature. In other words, there is a problem with the engine operating temperature not being reached within a certain amount of time. The P0128 code means that the engine coolant is not getting warm enough, fast enough. If you feel uncomfortable handling this, consider having a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, come over to handle the repair for you and check if the Check Engine Light is reading any other codes.Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature) What the P0128 code means Please note that a lot of vehicles have special coolant fill procedures for when you refill your coolant. If you feel like this is a job you can handle be sure you clear the codes and reset the module after performing the repair. After replacing the thermostat, record your engines warm up cycle and compare it to before the repair to confirm your issue was resolved. If it is, then I’d recommend replacing the thermostat. You would first test that the thermostat is indeed at fault by monitoring a warm up cycle of the engine. Either of these options lead to the engine not reaching the desired temperature level. Now the code gets recorded because sometimes the thermostat has become stuck open or it leaks when closed.

The computer does this because it is trying to go into closed loop operation as quickly as possible leading to better fuel economy. The computer monitors the warm up cycle of your engine - it looks for your coolant temperature to rise to a certain level within a given time frame.
