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DTC/P0117

P0117: Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Circuit Low

Quick Answer
Moderata GravitàSicuro da guidare (a breve termine)Sistema di raffreddamento

P0117 means the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor circuit voltage is too low, which the ECU reads as an implausibly high temperature. Because the sensor is a thermistor whose resistance falls as it heats, a short to ground or a shorted sensor produces a low voltage that mimics extreme heat. The ECU often responds by running the cooling fan at full speed. Repair typically costs 40 to 180 EUR for a sensor or wiring fix.

Costo di riparazione stimatoDa €12 a €190+, varia in base al veicolo

Cosa significa P0117?

P0117 means the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor circuit voltage is too low, which the ECU reads as an implausibly high temperature. Because the sensor is a thermistor whose resistance falls as it heats, a short to ground or a shorted sensor produces a low voltage that mimics extreme heat. The ECU often responds by running the cooling fan at full speed. Repair typically costs 40 to 180 EUR for a sensor or wiring fix.

P0117 è un codice diagnostico di guasto relativo a sistema di raffreddamento, classificato con gravità moderate. Quando la centralina (ECU) del tuo veicolo rileva questa condizione, memorizza P0117 e accende la spia motore.

Quali sono i sintomi di P0117?

Se il tuo veicolo ha attivato P0117, potresti notare uno o più di questi sintomi:

  • Check engine light illuminated
  • Temperature gauge reading very high or pinned
  • Cooling fan running constantly at high speed
  • Lean fuelling and possible hesitation
  • Hard starting if the ECU thinks the engine is already hot
  • Reduced fuel economy

Cosa causa P0117?

Ecco le cause più comuni di P0117, ordinate in base alla probabilità che siano la causa del problema:

altaCoolant temperature sensor shorted internally (low resistance)
altaSignal wire shorted to ground
mediaCorroded connector bridging the sensor terminals
mediaChafed harness shorting the signal to chassis
bassaWrong sensor fitted with incorrect resistance curve
bassaECU internal fault on the sensor input (rare)

È sicuro guidare con P0117?

In genere sì, per brevi tragitti. Usually safe to drive short distances. P0117 means the coolant sensor signal voltage is too low, which the ECU interprets as an implausibly hot engine (a low-resistance short reads as high temperature). This can force the cooling fan to run at full speed and lean out fuelling, hurting economy. Because the gauge may show a false high reading, confirm the real temperature in live data and fix the fault promptly so you do not mask genuine overheating.

Come si diagnostica P0117?

Segui questi passaggi per individuare la causa principale di P0117:

  1. Read the code and watch the live coolant temperature PID with Skanyx. P0117 typically shows the maximum value (often around 120 C or higher) even on a cold engine, which is a clear sign of a low-voltage short rather than a real overheat
  2. Compare the live coolant reading against actual engine temperature by touching the upper radiator hose; if the engine is cold but the PID reads hot, the circuit is shorted
  3. Unplug the sensor connector and check whether the reading drops to the open-circuit default; if it does, the sensor itself is likely shorted internally
  4. Inspect the connector and harness for corrosion, moisture, or a chafe point shorting the signal wire to ground or to the sensor body
  5. Measure the sensor resistance with a multimeter and compare to the manufacturer table; an abnormally low resistance confirms a failed sensor
  6. If the sensor and connector are good, test the signal wire for a short to ground back toward the ECU

Quanto costa riparare P0117?

I costi di riparazione di P0117 variano a seconda della causa principale e del tuo veicolo. Ecco le stime tipiche:

Riparazione Costo dei ricambi Costo della manodopera Stima totale Difficoltà fai-da-te
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 shorted wiring or connector €5–€30 €60–€160 €65–€190 Moderata
Diagnose short to ground (shop) €0–€0 €60–€120 €60–€120 Professionale

Prezzi stimati al March 2026. I costi variano in base alla regione, al veicolo e all'officina.

P0117 su veicoli specifici

P0117 si comporta in modo diverso a seconda del tuo veicolo. Seleziona la tua auto qui sotto per cause specifiche del modello, problemi noti e stime dei costi adeguate:

Toyota

P0117 su Toyota Corolla

2005-2024

On the Corolla, P0117 most often comes from a shorted sensor or moisture-induced corrosion bridging the connector terminals. The sensor is inexpensive and easy to reach, so confirm with live data and a resistance check before replacing.

Cosa causa P0117 su una Toyota Corolla?

Toyota CorollaInternally shorted thermistor reading maximum temperature
Toyota CorollaConnector corrosion bridging the signal and ground pins

Costo di riparazione di P0117 per Toyota Corolla

Costi stimati per i proprietari di Toyota Corollaadeguato al ribasso rispetto alla media a causa dei prezzi dei ricambi specifici Toyota

Riparazione Costo dei ricambi Costo della manodopera Stima totale Difficoltà fai-da-te
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 shorted wiring or connector €5–€27 €54–€144 €59–€171 Moderata
Diagnose short to ground (shop) €0–€0 €54–€108 €54–€108 Professionale

Prezzi stimati al March 2026. I costi variano in base alla regione, al veicolo e all'officina.

Volkswagen

P0117 su Volkswagen Golf

2005-2024

VW Golf combined coolant sensors can fail internally and short, producing a pinned-high reading. Connector and clip damage is also common on these sensors, so inspect the four-pin plug for moisture and a secure fit.

Cosa causa P0117 su una Volkswagen Golf?

Volkswagen GolfInternally shorted combined coolant sensor
Volkswagen GolfMoisture in the four-pin connector shorting the signal
BMW

P0117 su BMW 3 Series

2006-2024

On BMW 3 Series engines a shorted coolant sensor will trigger the cooling fan to run at full speed, which is often the owner's first clue. Connector fretting and harness chafing near the engine are worth inspecting before replacing the sensor.

Cosa causa P0117 su una BMW 3 Series?

BMW 3 SeriesShorted coolant sensor driving the fan to maximum
BMW 3 SeriesHarness chafe shorting the signal wire to ground

Costo di riparazione di P0117 per BMW 3 Series

Costi stimati per i proprietari di BMW 3 Seriesadeguato al rialzo rispetto alla media a causa dei prezzi dei ricambi specifici BMW

Riparazione Costo dei ricambi Costo della manodopera Stima totale Difficoltà fai-da-te
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 shorted wiring or connector €7–€39 €78–€208 €85–€247 Moderata
Diagnose short to ground (shop) €0–€0 €78–€156 €78–€156 Professionale

Prezzi stimati al March 2026. I costi variano in base alla regione, al veicolo e all'officina.

Ford

P0117 su Ford Focus

2005-2024

The Ford Focus can set P0117 from a shorted sensor or from a chafed harness near the engine, where insulation rubs through and grounds the signal wire. Inspect the pigtail for heat and abrasion damage before condemning the sensor.

Cosa causa P0117 su una Ford Focus?

Ford FocusShorted coolant temperature sensor
Ford FocusChafed harness grounding the signal wire near the engine

Costo di riparazione di P0117 per Ford Focus

Costi stimati per i proprietari di Ford Focusadeguato al ribasso rispetto alla media a causa dei prezzi dei ricambi specifici Ford

Riparazione Costo dei ricambi Costo della manodopera Stima totale Difficoltà fai-da-te
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 shorted wiring or connector €5–€29 €57–€152 €62–€181 Moderata
Diagnose short to ground (shop) €0–€0 €57–€114 €57–€114 Professionale

Prezzi stimati al March 2026. I costi variano in base alla regione, al veicolo e all'officina.

Questi codici compaiono spesso insieme a P0117 o indicano problemi correlati:

Domande frequenti su P0117

Why does P0117 make the gauge read hot when the engine is cold?

The coolant sensor is a thermistor whose resistance drops as it gets hotter, so a low signal voltage looks identical to a very hot engine. When the circuit shorts to ground, the voltage drops to near zero and the ECU interprets that as maximum temperature, even on a stone-cold engine.

Can I drive with P0117?

For short trips usually yes, but be careful. The ECU thinks the engine is overheating, so it may run the fan flat out and lean the mixture, hurting economy. The real danger is that a false high reading hides genuine overheating, so confirm actual temperature in live data and fix it soon.

Is P0117 the sensor or the wiring?

It can be either. A shorted thermistor inside the sensor is common and easy to confirm by unplugging the connector and checking whether the reading changes. If unplugging does not clear the implausible reading, suspect a signal wire shorted to ground in the harness.

How much does it cost to fix P0117?

If a shorted sensor is the cause, parts are usually 12 to 45 EUR and a DIY swap can be under 50 EUR. A shop sensor replacement runs roughly 60 to 150 EUR. Chasing a wiring short costs more because diagnostic labour is involved.

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