Alfa Romeo P0116 Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Range/Performance Problem

Description

OBD-II Trouble Code Description for P0116 Alfa Romeo

Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Range/Performance

What does this mean?

OBD2 Code P0116 Alfa Romeo 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 Alfa Romeo 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 Alfa Romeo
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 Alfa Romeo
Potential causes of the P0116 Alfa Romeo 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 Alfa Romeo P0117 Alfa Romeo P0118 Alfa Romeo P0119 Alfa Romeo P0125 Alfa Romeo P0128 Alfa Romeo

The OBD2 Code Information Be Applicable For Alfa Romeo:

2014 Alfa Romeo MiTo new,,2014 Alfa Romeo Giulietta new,,2014 Alfa Romeo 4C,,2013 Alfa Romeo Gloria Concept,,2013 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Touring,,2012 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante Touring Concept,,2011 Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale,,2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta,,2011 Alfa Romeo 4C Concept,,2010 Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa,,2010 Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept,,2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde,,2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4 MultiAir,,2010 Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept,,2010 Alfa Romeo 159 1750 TBi,,2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo UK Version,,2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA Concept,,2009 Alfa Romeo Mi.To,,2009 Alfa Romeo Brera S,,2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider,,2009 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon,,2009 Alfa Romeo 159,,2007 Alfa Romeo GT Q2,,2007 Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione,,2007 Alfa Romeo 147 Q2,,2007 Alfa Romeo 147 Murphy and Nye,,2007 Alfa Romeo 147 CnC,,2006 Alfa Romeo Spider UK Version,,2006 Alfa Romeo Spider,,2006 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon,,2005 Alfa Romeo Brera UK Version,,2005 Alfa Romeo Brera,,2005 Alfa Romeo 159,,2004 Alfa Romeo Visconti Concept ItalDesign,,2004 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione,,2004 Alfa Romeo 166,,2004 Alfa Romeo 156 GTA Autodelta,,2004 Alfa Romeo 156 Crosswagon Q4,,2004 Alfa Romeo 156 Crosswagon,,2004 Alfa Romeo 147 5door,,2004 Alfa Romeo 147 3door,,2003 Alfa Romeo Spider,,2003 Alfa Romeo Kamal Concept,,2003 Alfa Romeo GTV,,2003 Alfa Romeo GT,,2003 Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon 2.0 JTD,,2003 Alfa Romeo 156 GTA Autodelta,,2003 Alfa Romeo 156 2.4 JTD,,2003 Alfa Romeo 147 TI,,2002 Alfa Romeo 147 JTD 16V,,2002 Alfa Romeo 147 GTA

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