2002 Chevrolet Tracker

2002 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Self-Diagnostics - 2.5L Tracker

DTC P0128: ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE LESS THAN THERMOSTAT REGULATING

TEMPERATURE

NOTE: For circuit reference, see WIRING DIAGRAMS article. For component locations,
see COMPONENT LOCATIONS . For connector identification, see CONNECTOR
IDENTIFICATION .

Circuit Description

The DTC P0128 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature diagnostic
monitors the relationship between engine temperature and engine running time. The ECT sensor input is used to
monitor the performance of the engine cooling system thermostat. A DTC P0128 may set if the ECT sensor
voltage does not indicate that the engine coolant temperature has increased sufficiently during running of the
diagnostic. When the ambient air temperature and engine operating conditions are right, the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM) starts the diagnostic using a water temperature counter. The water temperature counter times
how long the cooling system takes to reach 167°F (75°C). Failure to reach 167°F (75°C) within the diagnostic
window can indicate a malfunctioning thermostat.

Conditions For Running DTC

l The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) is 14-113°F (-10 to 45°C).

l The Intake Air Temperature (IAT) is more than 7°F (-14°C).

Conditions For Setting DTC

The engine coolant temperature failed to reach at least 167°F (75°C) with the engine running a specified period
of time after engine start.

Action Taken When DTC Sets

l PCM illuminates the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) after 2 consecutive ignition cycles in which the
diagnostic runs with the fault active.
l PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. This information is stored in the
Freeze Frame buffer.

Conditions For Clearing MIL/DTC

l The MIL turns OFF after 3 consecutively passing trips without a fault present.
l A History DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles without a fault.
l Use the scan tool Clear DTC Information function.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers in the diagnostic procedures.

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 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
2002 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Self-Diagnostics - 2.5L Tracker

The Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls prompts the technician to complete some basic checks
and store the Freeze Frame data on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data
taken when the fault occurred. The information is then stored in the scan tool for later reference.

This step compares the ECT temperature to the IAT temperature. This inspection is to be performed when
the vehicle has reached ambient room temperature. At that time both the surrounding air temperature and
the engine coolant temperature are nearly equal. If the ECT sensor and circuit are okay, both sensors
should indicate the same temperature.

This step checks that the temperature of the engine coolant increases at least 36°F (2.2°C) within 10
minutes. If the temperature does not increase at least 36°F (2.2°C) there is a fault with the ECT sensor or
the engine cooling system.

This step checks for ECT sensor DTCs P0116, P0117 or P0118.

Fault not present indicates the condition that caused DTC P0128 to set is intermittent and not currently
present. If no other DTCs are stored, refer to DIAGNOSTIC AIDS for additional information on
diagnosing an intermittent DTC P0128.

17

Clearing the DTCs by removing the DOME fuse also clears the PCM long term memory. Using the scan
tool to clear DTCs leaves the long term memory active. DTC emitting diagnostics may not run to
completion as expected unless the long term memory is cleared. Removal of the DOME fuse also clears
the time display of the radio. The DTC P0128 diagnostic can be monitored on the scan tool under the Not
Ran Since Code Cleared selection in the DTC Information menu. If a DTC P0128 appears in the Not Ran
Since Code Cleared list, the DTC P0128 diagnostic has not yet run. When the DTC P0128 does not
appear in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the DTC P0128 diagnostic has run. If the MIL is NOT
illuminated, and there is no Pending DTC Status in DTC Information, the DTC P0128 diagnostic has
passed. The DTCs MUST be cleared in order to view the Current Status of the Not Ran Since Code
Cleared list. DO NOT forget that the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list only indicates that the test has run,
not whether the test passed or failed. The DTC Information screen must be checked for Current or
Pending status, in order to determine the outcome of the diagnostic test involved.

Diagnostic Procedures

1. Perform diagnostic system check - engine controls. See DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK - ENGINE
CONTROLS under SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM. After performing diagnostic system check - engine
controls, go to next step.
2. Allow the engine to cool to the ambient temperature. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

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2002 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Self-Diagnostics - 2.5L Tracker

Compare the ECT sensor temperature reading to the IAT sensor temperature reading on a scan tool. Are
the ECT and the IAT readings within 2 or 3 degrees of each other? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step
6.
3. Start the engine and immediately observe the ECT on the scan tool. Continue to observe the ECT while
idling the engine for 10 minutes. Does the ECT indicated on the scan tool increase by more than 36°F
(2.2°C) within the 10 minutes? If yes, go to step 5 . If no, go to next step.
4. Are any ECT sensor DTCs set? If yes, see DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE DEFINITIONS . If no,
go to step 6 .
5. The fault is not present. Are there any DTCs stored that have not been diagnosed? If yes, see
DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE DEFINITIONS . If no, see DIAGNOSTIC AIDS .
6. Disconnect the ECT sensor electrical connector. Measure the resistance of the ECT sensor with a Digital
Multimeter (DMM). Compare the measured resistance of the ECT sensor with the resistance values in the
appropriate SENSOR OPERATING RANGE CHARTS article. Is the resistance of the ECT sensor within
specifications? If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 14 .
7. Disconnect the ECT sensor electrical connector. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF. Observe the
ECT sensor temperature with a scan tool. Does the scan tool indicate that the ECT sensor temperature is -
40°F (-40°C). If yes, go to next step. If no, go to step 12 .
8. Turn OFF ignition. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the ECT sensor signal circuit and sensor
ground circuit of ECT sensor connector. Turn ON ignition, with engine OFF. Observe ECT sensor
temperature with a scan tool. Does scan tool indicate that ECT sensor temperature is 401°F (205°C)? If
yes, go to step 13 . If no, go to next step.
9. Turn OFF ignition. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the signal circuit and a known-good
ground. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF. Observe the ECT sensor temperature with a scan
tool. Does the scan tool indicate that the ECT sensor temperature is at 401°F (205°C)? If yes, go to next
step. If no, go to step 11 .
10. Test the ECT sensor ground circuit for high resistance. Repair as necessary. Did you find and correct the
condition? If yes, go to step 17 . If no, go to step 15 .
11. Test the ECT sensor signal circuit for high resistance. Repair as necessary. Did you find and correct the
condition? If yes, go to step 17 . If no, go to step 15 .
12. Test the ECT sensor signal circuit for a short to ground. Repair as necessary. Did you find and correct the
condition? If yes, go to step 17 . If no, go to step 15 .
13. Inspect the engine cooling system for correct coolant level, correct operation of the cooling system or
correct operation of the thermostat. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step 17 .
14. Replace the ECT sensor. After repairs, go to step 17 .
15. Inspect the PCM and the ECT sensor electrical connectors for poor connections. Repair as necessary. Did
you find and correct the condition? If yes, go to step 17 . If no, go to next step.
16. Replace PCM. Perform PCM relearn procedure. See POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE under
PROGRAMMING. After replacing PCM, go to next step.
17. Turn ignition off. Remove DOME fuse for 30 seconds (located in passenger compartment fuse/relay
block). Reinstall fuse. Reset radio clock time. Start engine and operate vehicle within the conditions for
running DTC or until DTC diagnostic test has run. See CONDITIONS FOR RUNNING DTC . If DTC
runs and passes, go to next step. If DTC resets, go to step 2 .
18. With a scan tool, observe the stored information, Capture Info. Does the scan tool display any DTCs that
you have not diagnosed? If yes, see DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE DEFINITIONS . If no, system

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 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
2002 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Self-Diagnostics - 2.5L Tracker

is okay.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

l A faulty thermostat that stays open slightly can cause DTC P0128 to set in cold weather when the vehicle
is started and allowed to sit while warming up. Replace any suspect thermostat.
l An incorrect thermostat can cause the engine to warm up slowly. Replace any thermostat that does not
meet OEM specifications.
l Use the appropriate SENSOR OPERATING RANGE CHARTS article in order to evaluate the possibility
of a shifted ECT sensor. A shifted sensor could result in DTC P0128.
l Check for the proper operation of the engine cooling system, including the correct coolant level.
l Check for a faulty electrical connection to the PCM.

If DTC P0128 cannot be duplicated, the information included in the Freeze Frame data can be useful in
determining the vehicle operating conditions when the DTC was first set.

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