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/ Engine coolant temperature sensor

How to perform the test

Example waveform

Waveform notes

Waveform Library

Further guidance

Diagnostic trouble codes

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Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor file:///C:/Users/PERE/Downloads/PICO/Engine%20coolant%20tempe...

Engine coolant temperature sensor

The purpose of this test is to evaluate the voltage output of an Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor as the
engine coolant temperature increases.

(/images/uploads/agt/_lrg/gt015-connection-drawing-01.png)

How to perform the test

View connection guidance notes (https://www.picoauto.com/library/automotive-guided-tests/connection-guidance).

1. Use manufacturer’s data to identify the temperature sensor signal circuit.

2. Connect PicoScope Channel A to the temperature sensor signal circuit.
3. Minimize the help page. You will see that PicoScope has displayed an example waveform and is preset to
capture your waveform.
4. Start the scope to see live data.
5. Start the engine.
6. Observe the waveform as the engine coolant warms up.

Example waveform

(/images/uploads/agt/_lrg/gt015-example-waveform-01.png)

Unfiltered waveform

(/images/uploads/agt/_lrg/gt015-example-waveform-filtered-01.png)

Waveform filtered with lowpass cut-off at 10 Hz

Waveform notes
This known good waveform has the following characteristics:

A gradual decrease in voltage as engine coolant temperature increases.

No voltage drop-outs or spikes.
The second example shows the same waveform but low pass filtered with a cut-off at 10 Hz to reduce the
noise measured in the circuit.
The initial voltage measured at the start of the waveform capture is dependent on the initial coolant
temperature and application.

Waveform Library
Go to the drop down menu in the lower left corner of the Waveform Library window and select, Coolant
temperature sensor.

(/images/uploads/agt/_lrg/gt015-waveform-library-examples-01.png)

Further guidance
An ECT sensor provides a measure of the engine’s coolant temperature to the Engine Control Module (ECM), as part
of the engine load sensing apparatus. It is therefore partly responsible for the determination of fuelling, timing and
engine speed requirements.

Most ECT sensors have a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) characteristic, meaning their internal resistance
decreases as the coolant temperature increases. Therefore, as in the example above, the voltage across an NTC ECT
sensor drops as its resistance decreases. A Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) sensor will have the opposite
behaviour.

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Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor file:///C:/Users/PERE/Downloads/PICO/Engine%20coolant%20tempe...

ECT sensors are application specific; despite having similar external appearances, their outputs can vary for a given
coolant temperature.

An ECM typically estimates engine temperature using multiple parameters, such as initial (prior to start up) ambient
air temperature, engine running duration and engine loading. Therefore, a coolant temperature reading on a scan
tool, obtained from serial diagnostic data, may be incorrect and may mask the failure of an ECT sensor. For this
reason, this type of test is the only reliable way to determine ECT sensor health and function.

The temperature sensor circuits are highly resistance sensitive, requiring a good circuit with clean connectors and
no extraneous resistances: any poor/corroded connections will falsify the signal at the ECM, causing the engine to
operate out of tolerance.

An ECT circuit might be prone to the typical circuit failures (shorts, open circuits, or high resistances), an internal
failure within the sensor, or a failure within the ECM (which otherwise should provide a 5 V reference to the signal
wire when the ETC is disconnected).

Typical symptoms of a faulty ECT sensor are:

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or glow plug warning light illumination

Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)
Excessive emissions
Increased fuel consumption
Difficulty starting
Increased engine speed

Diagnostic trouble codes

Selection of component-related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs):

P0115

P0116

P0117

View more
GT015

Disclaimer
This help topic is subject to changes without notification. The information within is carefully checked and considered to
be correct. This information is an example of our investigations and findings and is not a definitive procedure. Pico
Technology accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies. Each vehicle may be different and require unique test settings.

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this test. Click the Add comment button to leave your feedback.

1 comment | + Add comment

Colin
March 06 2022

the voltage across an NTC ECT sensor drops as its resistance decreases.

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