P0118 code after repairing blown head gasket

1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU
295,000 MILES • 3.1L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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DH44
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After repairing the blown head gasket, I have a check engine light with code P0118. The temperature gauge needle does not move after the engine warms up. I replaced the temperature sensor and still have the same issue. There is approximately 5 volts at the sensor harness connector.
Jul 26, 2018 at 7:47 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning.

There are two sensors for the coolant temperature. One is for the computer to control fuel and one is for the gauge.

The one in the front top of the motor is for the PCM for fuel control. The gauge is on the back cylinder head toward the rear of the engine. It has a single wire to it. I believe it is a green wire.

Check and see if there is any voltage to that wire.

Roy
Jul 27, 2018 at 5:34 AM
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DH44
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I do not see the second sensor on this particular engine. I tested the sensor at the back of the head (front head, or left hand side, whichever you want to call it) again. I have 4.97 volts at both of the wires while connected to the sensor with ignition on and with engine running. The voltage value on the ground side does not drop as the coolant warms up. I measured the resistance across the temperature sensor as it was warming up, and I saw the resistance doing down as it got warmer. Does this mean I have a grounding issue? If so, can I simply splice into the ground wire and ground it in a new location rather than tracing the circuit back to its origin?
Jul 30, 2018 at 7:15 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Both wires go to the PCM. There is a five volt feed and the return is what the PCM reads to control the fuel mapping.

Do not splice into anything. The signal return should vary according to temperature. If it does not, either there is no coolant in the manifold to change the reading or the sensor is no good.

Roy
Jul 31, 2018 at 3:05 AM