Nissan Frontier. Manual - part 567

P1217 ENGINE OVER TEMPERATURE

EC-839

< DTC/CIRCUIT DIAGNOSIS >

[VQ40DE FOR USA AND CANADA]

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P1217 ENGINE OVER TEMPERATURE

On Board Diagnosis Logic

INFOID:0000000009481521

NOTE:

• If DTC P1217 is displayed with DTC UXXXX, first perform the trouble diagnosis for DTC UXXXX.

• If DTC P1217 is displayed with DTC P0607, first perform the trouble diagnosis for DTC P0607. Refer

to 

EC-829, "On Board Diagnosis Logic"

.

If the cooling fan or another component in the cooling system malfunctions, engine coolant temperature will

rise.

When the engine coolant temperature reaches an abnormally high temperature condition, a malfunction is

indicated.

This self-diagnosis has the one trip detection logic.

CAUTION:

When a malfunction is indicated, always replace the coolant. Refer to 

CO-40, "Changing Engine Cool-

ant"

. Also, replace the engine oil. Refer to 

LU-23, "Changing Engine Oil"

.

1. Fill radiator with coolant up to specified level with a filling speed of 2 liters per minute. Always use

coolant with the proper mixture ratio. Refer to 

MA-16, "FOR USA AND CANADA : Fluids and Lubri-

cants"

 (for United States and Canada) or 

MA-18, "FOR MEXICO : Fluids and Lubricants"

 (for Mex-

ico).

2. After refilling coolant, run engine to ensure that no water-flow noise is emitted.

Overall Function Check

INFOID:0000000009481522

Use this procedure to check the overall function of the cooling fan. During this check, a DTC might not be con-

firmed.

WARNING:

Never remove the radiator cap and/or reservoir tank cap when the engine is hot. Serious burns could

be caused by high pressure fluid escaping from the radiator and/or reservoir tank.

Wrap a thick cloth around cap. Carefully remove the cap by turning it a quarter turn to allow built-up

pressure to escape. Then turn the cap all the way off.

 WITH CONSULT

1. Check the coolant level in the reservoir tank and radiator.

Allow engine to cool before checking coolant level.

If the coolant level in the reservoir tank and/or radiator is below

the proper range, skip the following steps and go to 

EC-840,

"Diagnosis Procedure"

.

2. Confirm whether customer filled the coolant or not. If customer

filled the coolant, skip the following steps and go to 

EC-840,

"Diagnosis Procedure"

.

3. Turn ignition switch ON.

DTC No.

Trouble diagnosis name

DTC detecting condition

Possible cause

P1217
1217

Engine over tempera-
ture (Overheat)

• Cooling fan does not operate properly (Over-

heat).

• Cooling fan system does not operate proper-

ly (Overheat).

• Engine coolant level was not added to the 

system using the proper filling method.

• Engine coolant is not within the specified 

range.

• Harness or connectors

(The cooling fan circuit is open or short-
ed.)

• IPDM E/R
• Cooling fan
• Cooling fan (Crankshaft driven)
• Radiator hose
• Radiator
• Radiator  cap
• Reservoir tank
• Reservoir tank cap
• Water pump
• Thermostat
For more information, refer to 

EC-841, 

"Main 12 Causes of Overheating"

.

SEF621W

EC-840

< DTC/CIRCUIT DIAGNOSIS >

[VQ40DE FOR USA AND CANADA]

P1217 ENGINE OVER TEMPERATURE

4. Perform “COOLING FAN” in “ACTIVE TEST” mode with CONSULT.
5. If the results are NG, go to 

EC-840, "Diagnosis Procedure"

.

 WITH GST

1. Check the coolant level in the reservoir tank and radiator.

Allow engine to cool before checking coolant level.

If the coolant level in the reservoir tank and/or radiator is below

the proper range, skip the following steps and go to 

EC-840,

"Diagnosis Procedure"

.

2. Confirm whether customer filled the coolant or not. If customer

filled the coolant, skip the following steps and go to 

EC-840,

"Diagnosis Procedure"

.

3. Perform IPDM E/R auto active test and check cooling fan motor

operation, refer to 

PCS-9, "Diagnosis Description"

.

4. If NG, go to 

EC-840, "Diagnosis Procedure"

.

Diagnosis Procedure

INFOID:0000000009481523

1.

CHECK COOLING FAN (CRANKSHAFT DRIVEN) OPERATION

1. Start engine and let it idle.

2. Make sure that cooling fan (crankshaft driven) operates normally.
OK or NG

OK (With CONSULT)>>GO TO 2.

OK (Without CONSULT)>>GO TO 3.

NG

>> Check cooling fan (crankshaft driven). Refer to 

CO-47, "Removal and Installation (Crankshaft

driven type)"

2.

CHECK COOLING FAN OPERATION

With CONSULT

1. Start engine and let it idle.

2. Select “COOLING FAN” in “ACTIVE TEST” mode with CONSULT.

3. Make sure that cooling fan operates at each speed (LOW/HI).
OK or NG

OK

>> GO TO 4.

NG

>> Check cooling fan control circuit. (Refer to "PROCEDURE A".)

3.

CHECK COOLING FAN OPERATION

Without CONSULT

1. Perform IPDM E/R auto active test and check cooling fan motors operation, refer to 

PCS-9, "Diagnosis

Description"

.

2. Make sure that cooling fan operates at each speed (Low/High).
OK or NG

OK

>> GO TO 4.

NG

>> Check cooling fan control circuit. (Refer to "PROCEDURE A".)

4.

CHECK COOLING SYSTEM FOR LEAK

Refer to 

CO-39, "System Inspection"

.

OK or NG

OK

>> GO TO 5.

NG

>> Check the following for leak. Refer to 

CO-39, "System Inspection"

.

• Hose

• Radiator

• Radiator cap

• Reservoir tank

• Water pump

5.

CHECK RESERVOIR TANK CAP

SEF621W

P1217 ENGINE OVER TEMPERATURE

EC-841

< DTC/CIRCUIT DIAGNOSIS >

[VQ40DE FOR USA AND CANADA]

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Refer to 

CO-39, "System Inspection"

.

OK or NG

OK

>> GO TO 6.

NG

>> Replace reservoir tank cap.

6.

CHECK COMPONENT PARTS

Check the following

• Thermostat. Refer to 

CO-55, "Removal and Installation"

.

• Engine coolant temperature sensor. Refer to 

EC-652, "Component Inspection"

.

OK or NG

OK

>> GO TO 7.

NG

>> Replace malfunctioning component.

7.

CHECK MAIN 12 CAUSES

If the cause cannot be isolated, go to 

EC-841, "Main 12 Causes of Overheating"

.

>> INSPECTION END

Main 12 Causes of Overheating

INFOID:0000000009481524

*1: Turn the ignition switch ON.

Engine

Step

Inspection item

Equipment

Standard

Reference page

OFF

1

• Blocked radiator
• Blocked condenser
• Blocked radiator grille
• Blocked bumper

• Visual

No blocking

—

2

• Coolant mixture

• Coolant tester

CO-40, "Changing Engine Coolant"

3

• Coolant level

• Visual

Coolant up to MAX level in 
reservoir tank and radiator 
filler neck

CO-40, "Changing Engine 
Coolant"

4

• Reservoir tank cap

• Pressure tester

59 - 98 kPa
(0.6 - 1.0 kg/cm

2

, 9 - 14 

psi) (Limit)

CO-39, "System Inspec-
tion"

ON*

2

5

• Coolant leaks

• Visual

No leaks

CO-39, "System Inspec-
tion"

ON*

2

6

• Thermostat

• Touch the upper and 

lower radiator hoses

Both hoses should be hot

CO-55, "Removal and In-
stallation"

ON*

1

7

• Cooling fan

• CONSULT

Operating

See trouble diagnosis for 
DTC P1217 (

EC-840, "Di-

agnosis Procedure"

).

ON*

2

7

• Cooling fan (Crankshaft 

driven)

• Visual

Operating

See 

CO-47, "Removal 

and Installation (Crank-
shaft driven type)"

.

OFF

8

• Combustion gas leak

• Color checker chemical 

tester 4 Gas analyzer

Negative

—

ON*

3

9

• Coolant temperature 

gauge

• Visual

Gauge less than 3/4 when 
driving

—

• Coolant overflow to res-

ervoir tank

• Visual

No overflow during driving 
and idling

CO-40, "Changing Engine 
Coolant"

OFF*

4

10

• Coolant return from res-

ervoir tank to radiator

• Visual

Should be initial level in 
reservoir tank

CO-40, "Changing Engine 
Coolant"

OFF

11

• Cylinder head

• Straight gauge feeler 

gauge

0.1 mm (0.004 in) Maxi-
mum distortion (warping)

EM-211, "Inspection After 
Disassembly"

12

• Cylinder block and pis-

tons

• Visual

No scuffing on cylinder 
walls or piston

EM-211, "Inspection After 
Disassembly"

EC-842

< DTC/CIRCUIT DIAGNOSIS >

[VQ40DE FOR USA AND CANADA]

P1217 ENGINE OVER TEMPERATURE

*2: Engine running at 3,000 rpm for 10 minutes.
*3: Drive at 90 km/h (55 MPH) for 30 minutes and then let idle for 10 minutes.
*4: After 60 minutes of cool down time.
For more information, refer to 

CO-37, "Troubleshooting Chart"

.