P0128: Coolant Thermostat Temperature Below Regulating Temperature. When your check engine light is illuminated due to trouble code P0128, you may have an issue with your engine thermostat.
Yes, a faulty thermostat can trigger the check engine light in your vehicle. The thermostat regulates the engine's temperature by controlling the flow of coolant. If it fails to open or close properly, it can lead to overheating or underheating of the engine.
P0128 is an extension of OBD-II code P0 which indicates a problem with your car's coolant thermostat.
Although it may be possible to drive short distances with code P0128 set, you should get the issue fixed by a professional right away. Doing so will help ensure your vehicle keeps running at its best while also helping to prevent any additional damage.
The P0118 code refers to issues with the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) circuit and its accompanying sensor. The ECT is a thermistor, or an electrical resistor, whose resistance is significantly reduced by heating.
If the old thermostat is positioned at the bottom of the radiator, you have no choice because all the coolant will drain by itself. If you drive with a bad thermostat, your car could overheat, causing severe and expensive engine damage.
If the coolant temperature sensor malfunctions, it could cause your car engine to get overheated. While sometimes a faulty sensor sends a permanent cold signal to the engine, it can also send a permanent hot signal.
This is referred to as a permanent code. This permanent code will go away on its own after the monitor runs and passes. Until then it will be present but only when read with a scan tool and will not turn the light on. If the problem Is detected again by the computer it will first set a pending code.
P0217 Code: Engine Coolant Over Temperature Condition. Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0217 stands for “Engine Coolant Over Temperature Condition.” Code P0217 sets when the engine overheats.
If your car's water pump goes out, one or more warning lights may pop up on the dash. For example, you may see the low coolant warning, overheat warning, or a check engine light.
A car thermostat is designed to last a long time – typically around 100,000 miles or 10 years. However, various factors can impact its lifespan. First, driving conditions play a role. If you regularly drive in hot weather or stop-and-go traffic, your thermostat may suffer additional stress.
One easy thing you can do to check the accuracy of your thermostat is to do a temperature check. See what your thermostat reads. Then use a portable indoor thermometer to compare the temps. Another good way to do the temperature check is to download one of the many free apps that allow you to check indoor temperatures.
Symptoms of a bad coolant temperature sensor:
Engine Overheating or Overcooling: A malfunctioning coolant temperature sensor can result in improper engine cooling. If the sensor provides a falsely low reading, the ECU may not activate the cooling fans or engage the radiator properly, leading to engine overheating.
“C” on the car's dashboard indicates the automatic air conditioning system used to cool the vehicle. But when the needle stays on “C” for a long time, the system has a problem. The following are the reasons for this problem: Faulty temperature sensor.
It's not recommended to unplug the coolant temperature sensor unless necessary for diagnostic purposes, as it can adversely affect engine operation and potentially cause damage if left unplugged for an extended period.
Driving with a bad thermostat is like playing Russian roulette with your engine. The longer you drive with a faulty thermostat, the more you risk causing significant damage to your car. The engine might overheat, causing the head gasket to fail or even leading to a cracked engine block.
Symptoms of a Failing Water Pump
Overheating is an obvious symptom of a failing water pump. Drivers should make sure the needle on the engine temperature gauge doesn't go into the red. A warning light should also illuminate to tell the driver the coolant is getting too hot.
Due to corrosion or aging, your car's thermostat can get stuck in a closed position. If this happens, the thermostat will not let the coolant reach the radiator, and, as mentioned above, the engine will overheat, causing severe damage. One of the lesser-known issues is the polar opposite of overheating.
If your AC shows irregular temperatures, where sometimes it's much cooler than other times, this can indicate AC sensor malfunction. This, in turn, will lead to AC sensors needing replacement.
Coolant level sensors report low radiator coolant. Symptoms of a bad coolant level sensor include an illuminated check engine light, an untriggered coolant level sensor, and an overheating engine.