P0115 - ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION

The ECT Sensor (Engine Coolant Temperature) changes its resistance according to the temperature. It has two wires: one of the reference signal, which is 5 volts, which is provided by the PowerTrain Control Module (PCM), and the other cable is from the ground circuit.

When the coolant temperature changes, the resistance also changes in the ground signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). If the engine has a low temperature, the resistance is high, while when the engine temperature is high, the resistance decreases. If the PCM detects that there is a condition or voltage outside the range, that is, it can be high or low when in fact it is not expected, the code DCT P0115 OBD II is established.

• On Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine).
• There may be difficulties when starting the vehicle.
• Excessively there is black smoke coming out of the exhaust.
• The engine may stop.

The problems that accompany the P0115 OBDII fault code are:

• Cables or connectors related to the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) may be defective, causing a short in the reference circuit or ground.
• A defective Coolant Temperature Sensor (ECT).

At the moment in which the diagnostic code P0115 OBD2 is established you must do the following for its correct correction:

• Inspect the cables and respective connectors of the ECT Sensor, look for damage to these components. If you notice worn cables, you should proceed to make the necessary repairs or even change it.
• With an automotive scanner, you must determine the temperature of the motor. Note that this error code refers specifically to the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor, so you should not look at the time of determining the engine temperature at the dashboard indicator, since this is another sensor. If the engine temperature is high, for example, about 280 ° F, unplug the ECT sensor and see if the engine temperature drops. If you do it this way, it is very possible that the sensor is defective. But before changing it, you should carefully check the voltage of the reference circuit as well as the resistance of the sensor. Check with the manufacturer's specifications, and if they are not within them, repair. If there are no problems in the wiring, change the ECT sensor.
• After switching off the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT), the motor temperature reading may still be high. This is indicative that there is a short to ground, repair it.
• Change the ECT sensor.