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DTC/P0118

P0118: Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Circuit High

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

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.

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

Cosa significa 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 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 P0118 e accende la spia motore.

Quali sono i sintomi di P0118?

Se il tuo veicolo ha attivato P0118, potresti notare uno o più di questi sintomi:

  • 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

Cosa causa P0118?

Ecco le cause più comuni di P0118, ordinate in base alla probabilità che siano la causa del problema:

altaCoolant temperature sensor open internally (failed thermistor)
altaDisconnected or loose sensor connector
mediaOpen or broken signal wire to the sensor
mediaCorroded connector terminals adding resistance
bassaOpen sensor ground circuit
bassaECU internal fault on the sensor input (rare)

È sicuro guidare con P0118?

In genere sì, per brevi tragitti. 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.

Come si diagnostica P0118?

Segui questi passaggi per individuare la causa principale di 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

Quanto costa riparare P0118?

I costi di riparazione di P0118 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 open wiring or connector €5–€30 €60–€160 €65–€190 Moderata
Diagnose open circuit (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.

P0118 su veicoli specifici

P0118 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

P0118 su 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.

Cosa causa P0118 su una Toyota Corolla?

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

Costo di riparazione di P0118 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 open wiring or connector €5–€27 €54–€144 €59–€171 Moderata
Diagnose open circuit (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

P0118 su 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.

Cosa causa P0118 su una Volkswagen Golf?

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

P0118 su 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.

Cosa causa P0118 su una BMW 3 Series?

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

Costo di riparazione di P0118 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 open wiring or connector €7–€39 €78–€208 €85–€247 Moderata
Diagnose open circuit (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

P0118 su 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.

Cosa causa P0118 su una Ford Focus?

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

Costo di riparazione di P0118 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 open wiring or connector €5–€29 €57–€152 €62–€181 Moderata
Diagnose open circuit (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 P0118 o indicano problemi correlati:

Domande frequenti su 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.

Leggi le nostre guide dettagliate

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