lojik

What up Aziners, 99 TL here. I got engine code P0177 last night. I had been getting the dirty egr code here and there so I figured I would be fine driving 15 miles home after getting the code. I was right but the car felt a bit sluggish. It happened when I was getting into a tight parking spot that required lots of back and forth and with these tranny's you know that sometimes they act up so maybe that spawned this somehow, anyway I don't know. If anyone has some insight it would be much appreciated if you could share here with me with out me buying and doing everything everyone says to buy and do. Maybe a way to test what is happening to what? Please help, Thanks.

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

When was the last time you changed your coolant?

lojik

cant remember off the top, why? I t may have been over 2 years ago.

lojik

I meant to put the exact verb-age on the trouble code but forgot so here it is... "P0117 Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Low input" to be exact.

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

1+1=2

lojik

Is that your sarcastically helpful way of telling me to change the whole coolant or to top it off? Nothing sensor related?

3.2TLc

Hey Lojik, check that your coolant level is up within the rad. Have the cooling system pressure checked if low. Make sure that any trapped air is burped from the system. Do the cooling fans operate properly ?

If your coolant is up and all appears normal, check the sensor's electrical connection, reset the PCM by pulling the clock back-up fuse #13 from the passenger's side fuse panel. Put the fuse back in and see if the CEL code cleared. If not, replace the ECT sensor.

lojik

Ok, was able to check this a.m. all things radiator. The reservoir was low, it only had a tiny puddle of fluid at the very bottom. I filled it up and even past the max line in case it needs to take and keep some in the rad. Is it ok that I overfilled a bit above line. Could the filling up or lack there of be what caused the engine light and code in the first place. If so, am I good now? PLease let me know. Thanks

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

Reset the ECU and see if the code comes back. That code is usually either:

1. Rust in the coolant
2. Bad sensor
3. Bad connection to sensor (wiring)

If the rusty coolant is causing the problem, you need to replace the coolant now.
If the sensor is bad, you can replace the sensor
If the connection or wiring is bad, you can clean up the connection/wiring

You need to figure out which of the three problems is causing the code. Inspect the sensor, and see if the connection is OK. If it is good, then test the sensor. If you can't do any of that, start by replacing the coolant. It's probably time for that anyways.

For now though, just reset the ECU and see if the light comes back. Problem may have just been low coolant.