DTC P1115 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit Intermittent High Voltage. Buick Riviera 1996

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 1996 🢒 Riviera 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 3.8L 🢒 DTC P1115 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit Intermittent High Voltage

Engine Controls Components
PCM Sensors
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

The engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor is a thermistor mounted in the engine coolant stream. The PCM applies a voltage (about 5.0 volts) through a pull up resistor to the ECT signal circuit. When the engine coolant is cold, the sensor (thermistor) resistance is high, therefore, the PCM will measure a high signal voltage. As the engine coolant warms, the sensor resistance becomes less, and the ECT signal voltage measured at the PCM drops. With a fully warmed up engine, the ECT signal voltage should measure about 1.5 to 2.0 volts. If the PCM detects an ECT signal volage that is intermittently greater than the range of the ECT sensor, DTC P1115 will set.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

•	Engine has been running for longer than 3 seconds.

•	The ECT sensor intermittently indicates a signal voltage greater than 4.8 volts.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

•	The PCM will not illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL).

•	The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Failure Records data only. This information will not be stored as Freeze Frame data.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

•	A History DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.

•	The DTC can be cleared by using the scan tool Clear Info function.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

•	Poor connection at the PCM.

Inspect harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and poor terminal to wire connection.

•	Damaged harness.

Inspect the wiring harness for damage.

•	If the harness appears to be OK, observe the ECT display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the ECT sensor. A change in the ECT display will indicate the location of the malfunction.

•	Skewed or mis-scaled ECT Sensor.

Refer to Temperature vs Resistance table.

Reviewing the Fail Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.

DTC P1115 - ECT Sensor Circuit Intermittent High Voltage

Step	Action	Value(s)	Yes	No
1	Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed?	--	Go to Step 2	Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check
2	Select DTC info, Last Tst Fail and note any other DTCs set. Is DTC P0118 also set?	--	Go to DTC P0118 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit High Voltage	Go to Step 3
3	Is DTC P1106, P1111, and/or P1121 also set?	--	Go to Step 8	Go to Step 4
4	Check for a poor sensor ground circuit terminal connection at the ECT sensor. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Repair Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found?	--	Go to Step 10	Go to Step 5
5	Check for a poor ECT signal circuit terminal connection at the ECT sensor. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Repair Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found?	--	Go to Step 10	Go to Step 6
6	Check the ECT signal circuit between the ECT sensor connector and the PCM for an intermittent open. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Repair Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found?	--	Go to Step 10	Go to Step 7
7	Check the ECT signal circuit between the ECT sensor connector and the PCM for an intermittent short to voltage. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Repair Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found?	--	Go to Step 10	Go to Step 8
8	Check for a poor sensor ground circuit terminal connection at the PCM. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Repair Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found?	--	Go to Step 10	Go to Step 9
9	Check for an intermittent open in the sensor ground circuit. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Repair Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found?	--	Go to Step 10	Go to Diagnostic Aids
10	Review and record scan tool Fail Records data. Clear DTCs. Operate the vehicle within Fail Records conditions as noted. Using a scan tool, monitor Specific DTC info for DTC P1115. Does the scan tool indicate DTC P1115 failed?	--	Go to Step 2	System OK