OBD-II code · Powertrain (generic)
P0116 Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Range/Performance
The coolant temperature sensor reading does not change plausibly during warm-up, or its value disagrees with the intake air temperature when the engine has been off long enough that they should match. Often caused by a sensor that reports near a fixed value despite engine warm-up.
Is it safe to drive with P0116?
Usually safe to drive in the short term. Get it diagnosed when convenient, sooner if the car drives differently.
Common causes
- Most likelySensor drifting outside specification
- PossibleThermostat stuck open (engine never reaches operating temperature)
- Less likelySensor element aged beyond calibration window
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Cooling fan runs constantly or not at all
- Cabin heater weak or excessively hot
- Possible long warm-up time or hard cold start
Repair at a glance
- Difficulty
- Easy
- DIY friendly
- Often, with basic tools
- Typical labour
- 0.3–2 h
- Emissions test
- Likely to fail
- After the fix
- A drive cycle is needed before the light stays off
- Parts involved
- Coolant Temperature Sensor, Thermostat
Related codes
- P0113Intake Air Temperature Sensor High Input
- P0114Intake Air Temperature Sensor Intermittent
- P0115Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit Malfunction
- P0117Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Low Input
- P0118Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor High Input
- P0119Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent
Code data: OBDex open dataset (CC0). Labour times are typical ranges, not a quote.