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DTC/P0118

P0118 : Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Circuit High

Quick Answer
Moderee GraviteConduite possible (a court terme)Systeme de refroidissement

P0118 means the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor circuit voltage is too high, which the ECU reads as an implausibly low temperature. Because the sensor is a thermistor whose resistance rises as it cools, an open circuit or a disconnected sensor produces a high voltage that mimics extreme cold. The ECU then over-fuels for a perpetual cold start. Repair typically costs 40 to 180 EUR for a sensor or wiring fix.

Cout de reparation estimeDe 12 € a 190 €+, varie selon le vehicule

Que signifie P0118 ?

P0118 means the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor circuit voltage is too high, which the ECU reads as an implausibly low temperature. Because the sensor is a thermistor whose resistance rises as it cools, an open circuit or a disconnected sensor produces a high voltage that mimics extreme cold. The ECU then over-fuels for a perpetual cold start. Repair typically costs 40 to 180 EUR for a sensor or wiring fix.

P0118 est un code defaut lie a systeme de refroidissement, classe en gravite moderate. Lorsque le calculateur de ton vehicule detecte cette condition, il enregistre P0118 et allume le voyant moteur.

Quels sont les symptomes de P0118 ?

Si ton vehicule a declenche P0118, tu peux remarquer un ou plusieurs de ces symptomes :

  • Check engine light illuminated
  • Temperature gauge reading cold or pinned low
  • Rich running, black smoke and a strong fuel smell
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Cooling fan not engaging when it should
  • Rough idle when the engine is actually warm

Quelles sont les causes de P0118 ?

Voici les causes les plus courantes de P0118, classees selon la probabilite qu'elles soient en cause :

eleveeCoolant temperature sensor open internally (failed thermistor)
eleveeDisconnected or loose sensor connector
moyenneOpen or broken signal wire to the sensor
moyenneCorroded connector terminals adding resistance
faibleOpen sensor ground circuit
faibleECU internal fault on the sensor input (rare)

Peut-on rouler sans risque avec P0118 ?

En general oui, pour des trajets courts. Usually safe to drive short distances. P0118 means the coolant sensor signal voltage is too high, which the ECU reads as an implausibly cold engine (an open or high-resistance circuit mimics extreme cold). This richens cold-start fuelling, can keep the cooling fan off when it is needed, and worsens fuel economy. Because the gauge may show a false low reading, confirm the real temperature in live data and fix the fault promptly so you do not miss actual overheating.

Comment diagnostique-t-on P0118 ?

Suis ces etapes pour identifier la cause profonde de P0118 :

  1. Read the code and watch the live coolant temperature PID with Skanyx. P0118 typically shows the minimum value (often around -40 C) even on a warm engine, which is a clear sign of an open circuit rather than a real cold reading
  2. Touch the upper radiator hose to gauge actual temperature; if the engine is hot but the PID reads -40 C, the circuit is open
  3. Check the sensor connector first, since a disconnected or loose plug is a frequent and easy fix; reseat it and recheck the live reading
  4. Inspect the connector terminals and harness for corrosion, spread pins, or a broken signal wire causing an open circuit
  5. Measure the sensor resistance with a multimeter; an infinite or very high reading confirms an internally open thermistor
  6. If the sensor and connector are good, test the signal and ground wires for continuity back to the ECU

Combien coute la reparation de P0118 ?

Les couts de reparation de P0118 varient selon la cause profonde et ton vehicule. Voici des estimations courantes :

Reparation Cout des pieces Cout de main-d'oeuvre Estimation totale Difficulte en autonomie
Replace coolant temperature sensor (DIY) €12–€45 €0–€0 €12–€45 Facile
Replace coolant temperature sensor (shop) €12–€45 €40–€100 €52–€145 Facile
Repair open wiring or connector €5–€30 €60–€160 €65–€190 Moderee
Diagnose open circuit (shop) €0–€0 €60–€120 €60–€120 Professionnel

Prix estimes au March 2026. Les couts varient selon la region, le vehicule et le garage.

P0118 sur des vehicules specifiques

P0118 se comporte differemment selon ton vehicule. Selectionne ta voiture ci-dessous pour des causes propres au modele, les problemes connus et des estimations de couts ajustees :

Toyota

P0118 sur Toyota Corolla

2005-2024

On the Corolla, P0118 most often traces to an open sensor or a loose connector. Check the plug is fully seated first, since a disconnected sensor is a common and quick fix before buying parts.

Quelles sont les causes de P0118 sur une Toyota Corolla ?

Toyota CorollaInternally open thermistor reading minimum temperature
Toyota CorollaLoose or partially seated sensor connector

Cout de reparation de P0118 pour Toyota Corolla

Couts estimes pour les proprietaires de Toyota Corollaajuste a la baisse par rapport a la moyenne en raison du prix des pieces specifiques a Toyota

Reparation Cout des pieces Cout de main-d'oeuvre Estimation totale Difficulte en autonomie
Replace coolant temperature sensor (DIY) €11–€41 €0–€0 €11–€41 Facile
Replace coolant temperature sensor (shop) €11–€41 €36–€90 €47–€131 Facile
Repair open wiring or connector €5–€27 €54–€144 €59–€171 Moderee
Diagnose open circuit (shop) €0–€0 €54–€108 €54–€108 Professionnel

Prix estimes au March 2026. Les couts varient selon la region, le vehicule et le garage.

Volkswagen

P0118 sur Volkswagen Golf

2005-2024

VW Golf combined coolant sensors and their clips become brittle with heat cycling, so an open circuit from a cracked sensor body or a failed retaining clip is a common P0118 cause. The four-pin sensor is inexpensive and a frequent replacement item.

Quelles sont les causes de P0118 sur une Volkswagen Golf ?

Volkswagen GolfCracked sensor body causing an open circuit
Volkswagen GolfBrittle retaining clip backing the connector out
BMW

P0118 sur BMW 3 Series

2006-2024

On BMW 3 Series engines, P0118 can come from connector fretting or a failed sensor in the cylinder head or coolant pump housing. The high reading keeps the engine in cold-start enrichment, so over-fuelling and black smoke are typical complaints.

Quelles sont les causes de P0118 sur une BMW 3 Series ?

BMW 3 SeriesConnector fretting causing an intermittent open circuit
BMW 3 SeriesFailed sensor in the head or electric coolant pump housing

Cout de reparation de P0118 pour BMW 3 Series

Couts estimes pour les proprietaires de BMW 3 Seriesajuste a la hausse par rapport a la moyenne en raison du prix des pieces specifiques a BMW

Reparation Cout des pieces Cout de main-d'oeuvre Estimation totale Difficulte en autonomie
Replace coolant temperature sensor (DIY) €16–€59 €0–€0 €16–€59 Facile
Replace coolant temperature sensor (shop) €16–€59 €52–€130 €68–€189 Facile
Repair open wiring or connector €7–€39 €78–€208 €85–€247 Moderee
Diagnose open circuit (shop) €0–€0 €78–€156 €78–€156 Professionnel

Prix estimes au March 2026. Les couts varient selon la region, le vehicule et le garage.

Ford

P0118 sur Ford Focus

2005-2024

The Ford Focus can set P0118 from an open sensor, a corroded connector, or a broken signal wire near the engine harness. Inspect the connector and pigtail before replacing the sensor, as wiring opens are common on higher-mileage cars.

Quelles sont les causes de P0118 sur une Ford Focus ?

Ford FocusOpen coolant temperature sensor
Ford FocusCorroded connector or broken signal wire in the harness

Cout de reparation de P0118 pour Ford Focus

Couts estimes pour les proprietaires de Ford Focusajuste a la baisse par rapport a la moyenne en raison du prix des pieces specifiques a Ford

Reparation Cout des pieces Cout de main-d'oeuvre Estimation totale Difficulte en autonomie
Replace coolant temperature sensor (DIY) €11–€43 €0–€0 €11–€43 Facile
Replace coolant temperature sensor (shop) €11–€43 €38–€95 €49–€138 Facile
Repair open wiring or connector €5–€29 €57–€152 €62–€181 Moderee
Diagnose open circuit (shop) €0–€0 €57–€114 €57–€114 Professionnel

Prix estimes au March 2026. Les couts varient selon la region, le vehicule et le garage.

Ces codes apparaissent souvent avec P0118 ou indiquent des problemes connexes :

Questions frequentes sur P0118

Why does P0118 make the gauge read cold when the engine is warm?

The coolant sensor is a thermistor whose resistance rises as it gets colder, so a high signal voltage looks identical to a very cold engine. When the circuit goes open, the voltage climbs to its maximum and the ECU interprets that as extreme cold, often around -40 C, even on a hot engine.

Can I drive with P0118?

For short trips usually yes, but the ECU thinks the engine is freezing, so it over-fuels and you get black smoke and poor economy. The fan may also stay off when it is actually needed. Confirm the real temperature in live data and fix it soon so you do not miss genuine overheating.

Could a simple unplugged connector cause P0118?

Yes, and it is one of the first things to check. A loose or disconnected sensor plug creates an open circuit, which is exactly what P0118 detects. Reseat the connector, clear the code, and re-watch the live reading before assuming the sensor itself has failed.

What is the difference between P0117 and P0118?

They are opposite faults on the same circuit. P0117 is low voltage, which mimics a hot engine and usually means a short to ground or a shorted sensor. P0118 is high voltage, which mimics a cold engine and usually means an open circuit, a disconnected plug, or a failed sensor.

Lis nos guides detailles

Skanyx

Scanne ta voiture avec Skanyx pour diagnostiquer P0118

Branche un adaptateur OBD2 Bluetooth standard, scanne les codes et obtiens un diagnostic par IA avec niveaux de gravite et estimations des couts de reparation.

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