Nissan Frontier D40. Manual - part 472

P0116 ECT SENSOR

EC-579

< COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS >

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P0116 ECT SENSOR

Component Description

INFOID:0000000005273541

The engine coolant temperature sensor is used to detect the engine
coolant temperature. The sensor modifies a voltage signal from the
ECM. The modified signal returns to the ECM as the engine coolant
temperature input. The sensor uses a thermistor which is sensitive to
the change in temperature. The electrical resistance of the ther-
mistor decreases as temperature increases.

<Reference data>

*: This data is reference value and is measured between ECM terminal 73 (Engine
coolant temperature sensor) and ground.

CAUTION:

Never use ECM ground terminals when measuring input/output voltage. Doing so may result in dam-
age to the ECM's transistor. Use a ground other than ECM terminals, such as the ground.

On Board Diagnosis Logic

INFOID:0000000005273542

DTC Confirmation Procedure

INFOID:0000000005273543

NOTE:
• If DTC P0116 is displayed with P0117 or P0118, first perform the trouble diagnosis for DTC P0117,

P0118. Refer to 

EC-583, "DTC Confirmation Procedure"

.

• If DTC Confirmation Procedure has been previously conducted, always perform the following before con-

ducting the next step. 

1.

Turn ignition switch OFF and wait at least 10 seconds.

2.

Turn ignition switch ON.

3.

Turn ignition switch OFF and wait at least 10 seconds.

TESTING CONDITION:
Before performing the following procedure, never fill with the fuel.
1.

Start engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.

2.

Rev engine up to 2,000 rpm for more than10 minutes.

3.

Move the vehicle to a cool place, then stop engine and turn ignition switch OFF.

4.

Check resistance between “fuel level sensor and fuel pump” terminals 3 and 4.

5.

Soak the vehicle until the resistance between “fuel level sensor and fuel pump” terminals 3 and 4
becomes 0.5 k

Ω

 higher than the value measured before soaking.

SEF594K

Engine coolant 

temperature

°

C (

°

F)]

Voltage*

(V)

Resistance

(k

Ω

)

−

10 (14)

4.4

7.0 - 11.4

20 (68)

3.5

2.1 - 2.9

50 (122)

2.2

0.68 - 1.00

90 (194)

0.9

0.236 - 0.260

SEF012P

DTC No.

Trouble diagnosis name

DTC detecting condition

Possible cause

P0116
0116

Engine coolant tempera-
ture sensor circuit range/
performance

Engine coolant temperature signal from engine 
coolant temperature sensor does not fluctuate, 
even when some time has passed after starting 
the engine with pre-warming up condition.

• Harness or connectors

(High or low resistance in the circuit)

• Engine coolant temperature sensor

EC-580

< COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS >

[VQ40DE]

P0116 ECT SENSOR

CAUTION:

Never turn ignition switch ON during the soaking time.
NOTE:
Soak time changes depending on ambient air temperature. It may take several hours.

6.

Start engine and let it idle for 20 minutes.

7.

Check 1st trip DTC.

8.

If 1st trip DTC is detected, go to 

EC-580, "Diagnosis Procedure"

.

Diagnosis Procedure

INFOID:0000000005273544

1.

CHECK GROUND CONNECTIONS

1.

Turn ignition switch OFF.

2.

Loosen and retighten three ground screws on the body.
Refer to 

EC-549, "Ground Inspection"

.

OK or NG

OK

>> GO TO 2.

NG

>> Repair or replace ground connections.

2.

CHECK ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR

Refer to 

EC-580, "Component Inspection"

.

OK or NG

OK

>> GO TO 3.

NG

>> Replace engine coolant temperature sensor.

3.

CHECK INTERMITTENT INCIDENT

Refer to 

GI-43, "How to Check Terminal"

 and 

GI-46, "Intermittent Incident"

.

For Wiring Diagram, refer to 

EC-897, "Wiring Diagram"

.

>> INSPECTION END

Component Inspection

INFOID:0000000005273545

ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR

1.

Check resistance between engine coolant temperature sensor
terminals 1 and 2 as shown in the figure.

BBIA0539E

PBIB2005E

P0116 ECT SENSOR

EC-581

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2.

If NG, replace engine coolant temperature sensor.

Engine coolant temperature

°

C (

°

F)]

Resistance

(k

Ω

20 (68)

2.1 - 2.9

50 (122)

0.68 - 1.00

90 (194)

0.236 - 0.260

SEF012P

EC-582

< COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS >

[VQ40DE]

P0117, P0118 ECT SENSOR

P0117, P0118 ECT SENSOR

Component Description

INFOID:0000000005273546

The engine coolant temperature sensor is used to detect the engine
coolant temperature. The sensor modifies a voltage signal from the
ECM. The modified signal returns to the ECM as the engine coolant
temperature input. The sensor uses a thermistor which is sensitive to
the change in temperature. The electrical resistance of the ther-
mistor decreases as temperature increases.

<Reference data>

*: This data is reference value and is measured between ECM terminal 73 (Engine
coolant temperature sensor) and ground.

CAUTION:

Never use ECM ground terminals when measuring input/output voltage. Doing so may result in dam-
age to the ECM's transistor. Use a ground other than ECM terminals, such as the ground.

On Board Diagnosis Logic

INFOID:0000000005273547

These self-diagnoses have the one trip detection logic.

FAIL-SAFE MODE

When the malfunction is detected, the ECM enters fail-safe mode and the MIL illuminates.

SEF594K

Engine coolant temperature

°

C (

°

F)

Voltage*

V

Resistance

k

Ω

-10 (14)

4.4

7.0 - 11.4

20 (68)

3.5

2.1 - 2.9

50 (122)

2.2

0.68 - 1.00

90 (194)

0.9

0.236 - 0.260

SEF012P

DTC No.

Trouble Diagnosis 

Name

DTC Detecting Condition

Possible Cause

P0117
0117

Engine coolant tem-
perature sensor cir-
cuit low input

An excessively low voltage from the sensor is 
sent to ECM.

• Harness or connectors

(The sensor circuit is open or shorted.)

• Engine coolant temperature sensor 

P0118
0118

Engine coolant tem-
perature sensor cir-
cuit high input

An excessively high voltage from the sensor is 
sent to ECM.