OBD-II code · Powertrain (generic)
P01E7 Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 3 Circuit Intermittent/Erratic
Intermittent signal from ECT sensor 3. The engine coolant temperature sensor feeds warm-up enrichment, fan control and closed-loop entry — a stuck-cold reading keeps the engine in open loop and rich forever.
Is it safe to drive with P01E7?
Usually safe to drive in the short term. Get it diagnosed when convenient, sooner if the car drives differently.
Common causes
- Most likelyConnector loose or corroded
- Less likelyConnector with intermittent contact under vibration
- Less likelyHarness routed against vibrating component
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
- 0.3–1 h
- Emissions test
- Likely to fail
- After the fix
- A drive cycle is needed before the light stays off
- Parts involved
- Ect Sensor 3, Sensor Wiring
Related codes
- P2BB4Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 4 Circuit Intermittent/Erratic
- P2BB5Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 5 Circuit Intermittent/Erratic
- P2BBAEngine Coolant Temperature Sensor 6 Circuit Intermittent/Erratic
- P01E4Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 3 Circuit Range/Performance
- P01E5Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 3 Circuit Low
- P01E6Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 3 Circuit High
- P01E8Engine Coolant Heater A Control Circuit/Open
- P01E9Engine Coolant Heater A Control Circuit Low
- P01EAEngine Coolant Heater A Control Circuit High
Code data: OBDex open dataset (CC0). Labour times are typical ranges, not a quote.