What P0116 means
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit 1 Range/Performance Problem
Common causes (general)
Before spending money on parts, verify the code with a scan tool and read freeze frame data. Freeze frame captures every sensor value at the moment the code set — this is often enough to figure out the root cause without further testing.
Manufacturer-specific descriptions
Different manufacturers use this code for slightly different failure modes. Here's what your specific make means by P0116:
| BMW | Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Range/Performance |
| FIAT | Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Performance |
| FORD | ECT Circuit Range/Performance Problem |
| HONDA | Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit Range/Performance Problem |
| MITSUBISHI | Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Range/Performance Problem; Engine coolant TEMP.sensor range |
| NISSAN | Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Range/Performance Problem |
| VOLKSWAGEN | Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Performance |
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