P1116 BUICK – Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Signal Unstable or Intermittent

P1116 BUICK Possible Causes

  • Low engine coolant level
  • Faulty Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor
  • Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor harness is open or shorted
  • Poor electrical connection in the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor circuit
  • Faulty engine coolant thermostat

How to Fix P1116 BUICK Code?

Start by checking the “possible causes” listed above. Visually inspect the related wiring harness and connectors. Look for damaged components and check for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded connector pins.

Possible Symptoms

Check Engine Light On (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)

P1116 BUICK Meaning

The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor contains a semiconductor device that changes resistance based on temperature (a thermistor). The ECT sensor is mounted in the left bank cylinder head near the front of the engine. The ECT sensor has a signal circuit and a ground circuit. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) applies a voltage (approximately 5.0 volts) to the sensor signal circuit. The PCM monitors changes in this voltage caused by changes in the sensor’s resistance to determine the engine coolant temperature.

When the engine coolant is cold, the sensor resistance (thermistor) is high and the PCM signal voltage is only slightly lowered across the sensor to ground. The PCM detects a high signal voltage (low temperature). When the engine coolant is hot, the sensor resistance is low and the signal voltage is lowered further. This causes the PCM to detect a low signal voltage (high temperature).

P1116 CADILLAC – Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Signal Unstable or Intermittent

P1116 CADILLAC Possible Causes

  • Low engine coolant level
  • Faulty Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor
  • Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor harness is open or shorted
  • Poor electrical connection in the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor circuit
  • Faulty engine coolant thermostat

How to Fix P1116 CADILLAC Code?

Start by checking the “possible causes” listed above. Visually inspect the related wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and look for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded connector pins.

Possible Symptoms

Engine light on (or service engine soon warning light)

P1116 CADILLAC Meaning

The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor contains a semiconductor device that changes resistance based on temperature (a thermistor). The ECT sensor is mounted in the left bank cylinder head near the front of the engine. The ECT sensor has a signal circuit and a ground circuit. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) applies a voltage (approximately 5.0 volts) to the sensor signal circuit. The PCM monitors changes in this voltage caused by changes in the sensor’s resistance to determine the engine coolant temperature.

When the engine coolant is cold, the sensor resistance (thermistor) is high and the PCM signal voltage is only slightly lowered across the sensor to ground. The PCM detects a high signal voltage (low temperature). When the engine coolant is hot, the sensor resistance is low and the signal voltage is lowered further. This causes the PCM to detect a low signal voltage (high temperature).

P1116 CHEVROLET – Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Signal Unstable or Intermittent

📌 Meaning of Code P1116

The code P1116 is related to the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor.
This sensor uses a thermistor, a semiconductor device whose resistance varies with temperature.

The ECT sensor is usually mounted on the left cylinder head, near the front of the engine. It has:

  • A signal circuit
  • A ground circuit

The PCM (Powertrain Control Module) sends a voltage (~5 V) to the sensor via the signal circuit. Depending on the temperature:

  • When cold: high resistance → high signal voltage
  • When hot: low resistance → lowered signal voltage

When the returned values do not match the expected normal ranges, the PCM triggers the P1116 code.

🚨 Possible Symptoms

  • Check Engine light on
  • Possible symptoms related to poor engine thermal management (e.g., overheating or hard cold starts)

❗ Possible Causes

  • Low engine coolant level
  • Faulty ECT sensor
  • Open or shorted ECT sensor harness
  • Poor electrical connection in the ECT sensor circuit
  • Faulty engine thermostat

🛠️ How to Fix Code P1116 Chevrolet

  1. Check all the possible causes listed above first.
  2. Visually inspect the wiring harness and associated connectors.
  3. Look for:
    • Damaged wires
    • Broken, bent, pushed, or corroded connector pins
  4. Also check:
    • The coolant level
    • The proper operation of the thermostat
    • The ECT sensor using a multimeter or via a diagnostic tool

P1116 FORD – Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Out of Self-Test Range

P1116 FORD Possible Causes

  • Low engine coolant level
  • Faulty Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor
  • Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor harness is open or shorted
  • Poor electrical connection in the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor circuit
  • Faulty engine coolant thermostat
  • Damaged Powertrain Control Module (PCM)

How to Fix P1116 FORD Code?

Start by checking the “possible causes” listed above. Visually inspect the related wiring harness and connectors. Look for damaged components and check for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded connector pins.

Possible Symptoms

Check Engine Light On (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)
Engine Overheating

P1116 FORD Meaning

The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor is a thermistor device in which resistance changes with temperature. The electrical resistance of a thermistor decreases as the temperature increases, and resistance increases as the temperature decreases. The varying resistance changes the voltage drop across the sensor terminals and provides electrical signals to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) corresponding to the temperature.

Thermistor-type sensors are considered passive sensors. A passive sensor is connected to a voltage divider network, so the change in the passive sensor’s resistance causes a change in the total current flow. The voltage that drops across a fixed resistor (pull-up resistor) in series with the sensor resistance determines the voltage signal to the PCM. This voltage signal equals the reference voltage minus the voltage drop across the fixed resistor.

The ECT measures the engine coolant temperature. The PCM uses the ECT input for fuel control and cooling fan control. There are 3 types of ECT sensors: threaded, push-in, and twist-lock. The ECT sensor is located in an engine coolant passage.

P1116 GMC – Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Signal Unstable or Intermittent

P1116 GMC Possible Causes

  • Low engine coolant level
  • Faulty Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor
  • Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor harness is open or shorted
  • Poor electrical connection in the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor circuit
  • Faulty engine coolant thermostat

How to Fix P1116 GMC Code?

Start by checking the “possible causes” listed above. Visually inspect the related wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and look for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded connector pins.

Possible Symptoms

Illuminated engine light (or engine service warning light soon)

P1116 GMC Meaning

The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor contains a semiconductor device that changes resistance based on temperature (a thermistor). The ECT sensor is mounted in the left bank cylinder head near the front of the engine. The ECT sensor has a signal circuit and a ground circuit. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) applies a voltage (approximately 5.0 volts) to the sensor’s signal circuit. The PCM monitors changes in this voltage caused by changes in the sensor’s resistance to determine the engine coolant temperature.

When the engine coolant is cold, the sensor’s resistance (thermistor) is high and the PCM’s signal voltage is only slightly lowered across the sensor to ground. The PCM detects a high signal voltage (low temperature). When the engine coolant is hot, the sensor’s resistance is low and the signal voltage is lowered further. This causes the PCM to detect a low signal voltage (high temperature).

P1116 HONDA – Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Performance Problem

P1116 HONDA Possible Causes

  • Low engine coolant level
  • Faulty Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor
  • Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor harness is open or shorted
  • Poor electrical connection in the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor circuit
  • Faulty engine coolant thermostat

How to Fix P1116 HONDA Code?

Start by checking the “possible causes” listed above. Visually inspect the related wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and look for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded connector pins.

Possible Symptoms

Illuminated engine light (or service engine soon warning light)

P1116 HONDA Meaning

The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor is used to detect the engine coolant temperature. The sensor modifies a voltage signal from the Engine Control Module (ECM). The modified signal returns to the ECM as an engine coolant temperature input. The sensor uses a thermistor sensitive to temperature change. The electrical resistance of the thermistor decreases as temperature increases.

P1116 HYUNDAI – Boost Pressure Sensor Malfunction

How to Fix P1116 HYUNDAI Code?

Start by checking the “possible causes” listed above. Visually inspect the corresponding wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and look for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded connector pins.

Possible Symptoms

Check Engine Light On (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)

P1116 HYUNDAI Meaning

Boost Pressure Sensor Malfunction is the generic description for Hyundai P1116 code, but the manufacturer may have a different description for your specific vehicle model and year. Currently, we don’t have more information about Hyundai P1116 OBDII code.

P1116 LEXUS – Coolant Heat Storage System Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit Bank

P1116 LEXUS Possible Causes

  • Low engine coolant level
  • Faulty Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor
  • Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor harness is open or shorted
  • Poor electrical connection in Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor circuit
  • Faulty engine coolant thermostat

How to Fix P1116 LEXUS Code?

Start by checking the “Possible Causes” listed above. Visually inspect the related wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and look for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded connector pins.

Possible Symptoms

Illuminated engine light (or service engine soon warning light)

P1116 LEXUS Meaning

The engine coolant temperature sensor circuit for the coolant heat storage system is the generic description for Lexus P1116 code, but the manufacturer may have a different description for your vehicle model and year. Currently, we have no further information about Lexus OBDII code P1116.

P1116 LINCOLN – Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Out of Self-Test Range

P1116 LINCOLN Possible Causes

  • Low engine coolant level
  • Faulty Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor
  • Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor harness is open or shorted
  • Poor electrical connection in the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor circuit
  • Faulty engine coolant thermostat
  • Damaged Powertrain Control Module (PCM)

How to Fix P1116 LINCOLN Code?

Start by checking the “Possible Causes” listed above. Visually inspect the related wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and look for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded connector pins.

Possible Symptoms

Check Engine Light On (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)
Engine Overheating

P1116 LINCOLN Meaning

The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor is a thermistor device in which resistance changes with temperature. The electrical resistance of a thermistor decreases as the temperature increases, and resistance increases as the temperature decreases. The variable resistance changes the voltage drop across the sensor terminals and provides electrical signals to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) corresponding to the temperature.

Thermistor-type sensors are considered passive sensors. A passive sensor is connected to a voltage divider network, so variation in the resistance of the passive sensor causes a change in the total current flow. The voltage that drops across a fixed resistor (pull-up resistor) in series with the sensor resistance determines the voltage signal to the PCM. This voltage signal is equal to the reference voltage minus the voltage drop across the fixed resistor.

The ECT measures the engine coolant temperature. The PCM uses the ECT input for fuel control and for cooling fan control. There are 3 types of ECT sensors; threaded, push-in, and twist-lock. The ECT sensor is located in an engine coolant passage.

P1116 MAZDA – Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor is Outside Self-Test Range

P1116 MAZDA Possible Causes

  • Low engine coolant level
  • Faulty Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor
  • Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor harness is open or shorted
  • Poor electrical connection in the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor circuit
  • Faulty engine coolant thermostat

How to Fix P1116 MAZDA Code?

Start by checking the “Possible Causes” listed above. Visually inspect the related wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and look for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded connector pins.

Possible Symptoms

Check engine light on (or service engine soon warning light)

P1116 MAZDA Meaning

The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor is used to detect the engine coolant temperature. The sensor modifies a voltage signal from the Engine Control Module (ECM). The modified signal returns to the ECM as an engine coolant temperature input. The sensor uses a thermistor sensitive to temperature change. The electrical resistance of the thermistor decreases as temperature increases.