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Electronic Control System Gas Plus Engines – FAULT CODE 144 – B and C Gas Plus

Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit – Shorted High

Overview

CODE REASON EFFECT
Fault Code: 144
PID: P110
SPN: 110
FMI: 3
LAMP: Amber
SRT: 

Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit – Shorted High. High signal voltage detected at the engine coolant temperature sensor pin at the ECM.

None on performance. No engine protection for coolant temperature.

Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit
SMALL | MEDIUM | LARGE

Circuit Description

The electronic control module (ECM) uses the coolant temperature sensor for engine protection purposes.

Component Location

The coolant temperature sensor is located on the left side of the block, behind the ECM.

Shop Talk

All temperature sensors:

  • The resistance of the sensor varies with temperature. The reading you observe will compare to the following table if the sensor is functioning properly.
Temperature (°C) Temperature [°F] Resistance (ohms)
0 32 30k to 36k
25 77 9k to 11k
50 122 3k to 4k
75 167 1350 to 1500
100 212 600 to 675
  • This fault code can log in extremely cold weather.

Cautions and Warnings

 WARNING 

Do not remove the pressure cap from a hot engine. Wait until the coolant temperature is below 50°C [120°F] before removing the pressure cap. Heated coolant spray or steam can cause personal injury.
 CAUTION 

To reduce the possibility of damaging a new ECM, all other active fault codes must be investigated prior to replacing the ECM.
 CAUTION 

To reduce the possibility of pin and harness damage, use the following test leads when taking a measurement:
Part Number 3822758 – male Deutsch/AMP/Metri-Pack test lead
Part Number 3823996 – female Weather-Pack test lead.

Troubleshooting Steps

STEPS SPECIFICATIONS
STEP 1. Check the fault codes.  
  STEP 1A. Check for inactive fault codes. Fault Code 144 inactive?
STEP 2. Check the coolant temperature sensor and circuit.  
  STEP 2A. Inspect the coolant temperature sensor and connector pins. Dirty or damaged pins?
  STEP 2B. Check the sensor resistance. 175 ohms to 274k ohms?
STEP 3. Check the ECM and engine harness.  
  STEP 3A. Inspect the ECM and engine harness connector pins. Dirty or damaged pins?
  STEP 3B. Check for an open circuit in the engine harness. Less than 10 ohms?
  STEP 3C. Check for an open circuit in the engine harness.
  STEP 3C. Check for a pin to pin short circuit in the engine harness. Greater than 100k ohms?
  STEP 3D. Check for an inactive fault code. Fault Code 144 inactive?
STEP 4. Clear the fault codes.  
  STEP 4A. Disable the fault code. Fault Code 144 inactive?
  STEP 4B. Clear the inactive fault codes. All fault codes cleared?

Guided Step 1 – Check the fault codes.

Guided Step 1A – Check for inactive fault codes.

Conditions

  • Turn keyswitch ON
  • Connect INSITE™ electronic service tool.

Action

  • Use INSITE™ electronic service tool to read the fault codes.

Fault Code 144 inactive?
YES NO
No Repair No Repair

Guided Step 2 – Check the coolant temperature sensor and circuit.

Guided Step 2A – Inspect the coolant temperature sensor and connector pins.

Conditions

  • Turn keyswitch OFF
  • Disconnect the coolant temperature sensor from the engine harness.

Action

  • Corroded pins
  • Bent or broken pins
  • Pushed back or expanded pins
  • Wire insulation damage
  • Moisture in or on the connector
  • Missing or damaged connector seals
  • Connector shell broken
  • Dirt or debris in or on the connector pins.

For general inspection techniques, refer to Component Connector and Pin Inspection, Procedure 019-361.

Dirty or damaged pins?
YES NO

A defective connection has been detected in the sensor or harness connector.

Repair the damaged pins. Repair or replace the engine harness, whichever has the damaged pins.

  • Flush the dirt, debris, or moisture from the connector pins using electronic contact cleaner, Part Number 3824510.
  • Install the appropriate connector seal if it is damaged or missing.
  • Repair the engine harness. Refer to Procedure 019-202.
  • Replace the engine harness. Refer to Procedure 019-043.
No Repair

Guided Step 2B – Check the sensor resistance.

Conditions

  • Turn keyswitch OFF
  • Disconnect the coolant temperature sensor from the engine harness.

Action

  • Measure the resistance between the SIGNAL pin and RETURN pin at the coolant temperature sensor connector.

175 ohms to 274k ohms?
YES NO
No Repair

Replace the coolant temperature sensor. Refer to Procedure 019-019

Guided Step 3 – Check the ECM and engine harness.

Guided Step 3A – Inspect the ECM and engine harness connector pins.

Conditions

  • Turn keyswitch OFF
  • Disconnect engine harness from the ECM.

Action

  • Corroded pins
  • Bent or broken pins
  • Pushed back or expanded pins
  • Wire insulation damage
  • Moisture in or on the connector
  • Missing or damaged connector seals
  • Connector shell broken
  • Dirt or debris in or on the connector pins.

For general inspection techniques, refer to Component Connector and Pin Inspection, Procedure 019-361.

Dirty or damaged pins?
YES NO

A defective connection has been detected in the ECM connector or engine harness connector.

Repair the damaged pins. Repair or replace the engine harness, whichever has the damaged pins.

  • Flush the dirt, debris, or moisture from the connector pins using electronic contact cleaner, Part Number 3824510.
  • Install the appropriate connector seal if it is damaged or missing.
  • Repair the engine harness. Refer to Procedure 019-204.
  • Replace the engine harness. Refer to Procedure 019-043.
No Repair

Guided Step 3B – Check for an open circuit in the engine harness.

Conditions

  • Turn keyswitch OFF
  • Disconnect engine harness from the ECM.
  • Disconnect the coolant temperature sensor from the engine harness.

Action

  • Measure the resistance between the coolant temperature RETURN pin and the ECM connector 1 RETURN pin.

Refer to circuit diagram or wiring diagram for connector pin identification.

For general resistance measurement techniques, refer to the Resistance Measurements Using a Multimeter and Wiring Diagram, Procedure 019-360.

Less than 10 ohms?
YES NO
No Repair

An open RETURN circuit has been detected in the engine harness.

Repair the damaged pins. Repair or replace the engine harness, whichever has the damaged pins.

  • Flush the dirt, debris, or moisture from the connector pins using electronic contact cleaner, Part Number 3824510.
  • Install the appropriate connector seal if it is damaged or missing.
  • Repair the engine harness. Refer to Procedure 019-202.
  • Replace the engine harness. Refer to Procedure 019-043.

Guided Step 3B-1 – Check for an open circuit in the engine harness.

Conditions

  • Turn keyswitch OFF
  • Disconnect engine harness from the ECM.
  • Disconnect the coolant temperature sensor from the engine harness.

Action

  • Measure the resistance between the coolant temperature sensor SIGNAL pin and the ECM connector 1 SIGNAL pin.

Refer to circuit diagram or wiring diagram for connector pin identification.

For general resistance measurement techniques, refer to the Resistance Measurements Using a Multimeter and Wiring Diagram, Procedure 019-360.

Less than 10 ohms?
YES NO
No Repair

An open SIGNAL circuit has been detected in the engine harness.

Repair the damaged pins. Repair or replace the engine harness, whichever has the damaged pins.

  • Flush the dirt, debris, or moisture from the connector pins using electronic contact cleaner, Part Number 3824510.
  • Install the appropriate connector seal if it is damaged or missing.
  • Repair the engine harness. Refer to Procedure 019-202.
  • Replace the engine harness. Refer to Procedure 019-043.

Guided Step 3C – Check for a pin to pin short circuit in the engine harness.

Conditions

  • Turn keyswitch OFF
  • Disconnect engine harness from the ECM.
  • Disconnect the coolant temperature sensor from the engine harness.

Action

  • Measure the resistance between the coolant temperature SIGNAL pin in engine harness to all other pins in the engine ECM connector 1.
  • Measure the resistance between the coolant temperature SIGNAL pin in engine harness and all pins in engine ECM connector 2.

Refer to circuit diagram or wiring diagram for connector pin identification.

For general resistance measurement techniques, refer to the Resistance Measurements Using a Multimeter and Wiring Diagram, Procedure 019-360.

Greater than 100k ohms?
YES NO
No Repair

An pin to pin short circuit on the SIGNAL pin has been detected in the engine harness.

Repair the damaged pins. Repair or replace the engine harness, whichever has the damaged pins.

  • Flush the dirt, debris, or moisture from the connector pins using electronic contact cleaner, Part Number 3824510.
  • Install the appropriate connector seal if it is damaged or missing.
  • Repair the engine harness. Refer to Procedure 019-202.
  • Replace the engine harness. Refer to Procedure 019-043.

Guided Step 3D – Check for inactive fault codes.

Conditions

  • Connect all components
  • Turn keyswitch ON
  • Connect INSITE™ electronic service tool.

Action

  • Use INSITE™ electronic service tool to read the fault codes.

Fault Code 144 inactive?
YES NO
No Repair

Replace the ECM. Call for pre-authorization.

Refer to Procedure 019-031.

Guided Step 4 – Clear the fault codes.

Guided Step 4A – Disable the fault code.

Conditions

  • Connect all components
  • Turn keyswitch ON
  • Connect INSITE™ electronic service tool.

Action

  • Start the engine and let it idle for one minute.
  • Use INSITE™ electronic service tool to verify that the fault code is inactive.

Fault Code 144 inactive?
YES NO
No Repair No Repair

Guided Step 4B – Clear the inactive fault codes.

Conditions

  • Connect all components
  • Turn keyswitch ON
  • Connect INSITE™ electronic service tool.

Action

  • Use INSITE™ electronic service tool to erase the inactive fault.

All fault codes cleared?
YES NO
No Repair No Repair
Repair complete
Appropriate troubleshooting charts
Last Modified:  17-Aug-2004
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