Nissan P0116 Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Range/Performance Problem

Description

OBD-II Trouble Code Description for P0116 Nissan

Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Range/Performance

What does this mean?

OBD2 Code P0116 Nissan definition:
The ECT (Engine coolant temperature) sensor is a thermistor which changes resistance based on temperature of the coolant in contact with it. The ECT sensor will be located in the block or coolant passage. Usually it is a two wire sensor. One wire is a 5 Volt supply from the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) to the ECT. The other is a ground to the ECT.

As the temperature of the coolant changes the resistance on the signal wire changes accordingly. The PCM monitors the reading and determines coolant temperature in order to perform essential engine fuel management. When engine coolant is low, sensor resistance is high. The PCM will see a high signal voltage (low temperature). When coolant is warm, the sensor’s resistance is low and the PCM will see a high temperature. The PCM expects to see slow resistance changes on the ECT signal circuit. If it sees a quick change in voltage that isn’t consistent with an engine warming up, this P0116 Nissan code will set. Or if it sees a lack of change in ECT signal, this code may set.

Symptoms

Possible sumptoms of OBD code P0116 Nissan
There may be no noticeable symptoms if the problem is very intermittent, however the following may occur: MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) illumination Poor drivability Black smoke at tailpipe Poor fuel economy May not idle May exhibit stalling or misfires

Causes

Possible causes of OBD code P0116 Nissan
Potential causes of the P0116 Nissan code include: Missing or stuck-open thermostat Bad ECT sensor Short or open on signal wire Short or open on ground wire Poor connections in wiring

Possible Solutions

If there are any other ECT sensor codes, diagnose them first. Using a scan tool, check the ECT reading. On a cold engine, it should match the IAT reading or should be equal to ambient (outside) temperature reading. If it does match the IAT or ambient temp, check the freeze frame data on your scan tool (if equipped). The saved data should tell you what the ECT reading was when the fault occurred. A) If the saved info indicates that the engine coolant reading was at the coldest exreme (around -30 deg. F) then that’s a good indication the ECT resistance was intermittently high (unless you live in Anchorage!) Check for an open in the ECT sensor ground and signal circuits and repair as necessary. If they appear okay, warm the engine up while monitoring the ECT for any intermittent jumps high or low. If there are replace the ECT. B) If the saved info indicates that the engine coolant reading was at the warmest exreme (around 250+ deg.F) then that’s a good indication the ECT resistance was intermittently low. Check for a short to ground on the signal circuit and repair as necessary. If it appears okay, warm the engine up while monitoring the ECT for any intermittent jumps high or low. If there are replace the ECT.

Related Codes

P0115 Nissan P0117 Nissan P0118 Nissan P0119 Nissan P0125 Nissan P0128 Nissan


The OBD2 Code Information Be Applicable For Nissan:

2013 Nissan Pathfinder,2013 Nissan Murano,2013 Nissan Juke Nismo,2013 Nissan GT-R,2013 Nissan Altima Sedan,2013 Nissan Almera,2013 Nissan 370Z,2012 Nissan Tiida,2012 Nissan Sunny,2012 Nissan Qashqai,2012 Nissan Murano,2012 Nissan Micra ELLE,2012 Nissan Micra DIG-S,2012 Nissan Maxima,2012 Nissan Juke Shiro,2012 Nissan GT-R,2012 Nissan Extrem Concept,2011 Nissan X-Trail,2011 Nissan Rogue,2011 Nissan Quest,2011 Nissan Pivo 3 Concept,2011 Nissan Patrol,2011 Nissan Murano,2011 Nissan Micra,2011 Nissan LEAF,2011 Nissan Juke,2011 Nissan GT-R,2011 Nissan 370Z,2010 Nissan Qashqai,2010 Nissan Pathfinder,2010 Nissan Navara,2010 Nissan NV200,2010 Nissan GT-R SpecV,2010 Nissan Cube,2010 Nissan Altima Sedan,2010 Nissan Altima Coupe,2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster,2009 Nissan Xterra,2009 Nissan Pixo,2009 Nissan Note,2009 Nissan Murano,2009 Nissan Maxima,2009 Nissan Frontier,2009 Nissan 370Z,2008 Nissan X-Trail,2008 Nissan Rogue,2008 Nissan Pathfinder,2008 Nissan GT-R,2007 Nissan Sentra SE-R,2007 Nissan Mixim,2007 Nissan Altima,2006 Nissan Urge Concept,2006 Nissan Note,2006 Nissan 350Z,2005 Nissan Zaroot Concept,2005 Nissan Xterra,2005 Nissan Terrano,2005 Nissan Sport Concept,2005 Nissan Primera,2005 Nissan Pivo Concept,2005 Nissan Pickup,2005 Nissan Patrol,2005 Nissan Pathfinder,2005 Nissan Micra,2005 Nissan Altima,2004 Nissan Titan,2004 Nissan Tiida

 

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