Cooling Issues - CEL P0116 - Accord V6

douflag · Oct 19, 2010

Hi all,

Please bear in mind that I'm a noob at this. I've been having some engine heating/cooling issues with my 2000 Accord V6. The temperature meter has gone between the middle and near or on the red when stopped. It remains in the middle when moving. This past Sunday, the car threw a check engine light which I had Autozone read. The code given was:

P0116 - Seonsor 1 range/performance
Probable cases - (1) open or short circuit condition, (2) poor electrical connection, or (3) faulty ECT

I have also checked the coolant reservoir and it is still on MAX. Is it safe to drive the car like this? What other diagnostics should I do before I start replacing parts?

douflag · Oct 19, 2010

History of the car:

Bought brand new in 2000. I don't have any mods on the car. I just wanted to start off by saying that I have not done much technical work on the car except for brake/rotor changes and oil changes. But I have previously had my car serviced for:

1. Transmission replacement (Honda dealer in 2005)
2. Timing belt and water pump replacement (Honda dealer in 2010)
3. Upper control arms (front) and engine/transmission mounts (independent shop in 2009)

The problem is that the car has been "overheating" for the past few weeks now. Prior to this, there have been similar random episodes.

JayStuff · Oct 19, 2010

replace the thermostat. I had the same issue and 50 bucks later it was back to being a honda. Havent had a problem since and its been over a year.

BatMan · Dec 21, 2010

Jay - So it would overheat when you were stopped? Because that is what is happening to me. When I drive it's fine, but when I turn it off and come back to it it will 'overheat' but then level out asap.

nsjames · Dec 21, 2010

is the motor actually overheating? Have you verified the coolant temperature with a mechanical guage or IR thermometer at the thermo housing?

BatMan said:
it it will 'overheat' but then level out asap.

this comment makes me think that you have a loose/corroded/broken connection in the temp sender harness. The temp sensor is just a temperature sensitive resistor, so any extra impedance in the circuit will make it give a false reading. It sounds as if the ECU has already diagnosed that it went to infinite resistance, so I would suspect a loose wire.

cl206 · Dec 21, 2010

douflag said:
2. Timing belt and water pump replacement (Honda dealer in 2010)

The problem is that the car has been "overheating" for the past few weeks now. Prior to this, there have been similar random episodes.

When in 2010 did you replace the timing belt? Was it just before the current issues? I ask because when they change the T belt with the water pump, it is my understanding that some coolant is lost (because the WP is removed) and as a result is it possible they didn't burp the system properly when they added coolant? Just a suggestion.