P0117 on Chevrolet
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit Low
P0117 on Chevrolet vehicles indicates engine coolant temperature sensor circuit low. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Chevrolet model — most commonly on Sonic. This code means the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor is reading too low a voltage, which the computer interprets as an impossibly high coolant temperature. In most cases this is an electrical fault — such as a short to ground in the wiring — rather than the engine actually overheating. The coolant temperature signal affects fuel mixture, cooling fans, and other functions, so a bad reading can cause poor running, hard starting, or fans running constantly. The fault is usually in the sensor or its wiring. Typical repair costs on Chevrolet range from $200 to $800, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0117
- •Faulty engine coolant temperature sensor
- •Short to ground in the sensor signal wire
- •Damaged or corroded wiring/connector at the sensor
- •Coolant contamination affecting the sensor
- •Poor electrical ground
- •Faulty PCM/ECM (less common)
P0117 on Chevrolet by Model
Chevrolet Sonic(1 issue)
- Premature Water Pump Failure and Coolant Leaks2012-2020
The Chevrolet Sonic across all model years is prone to premature water pump failure. The water pump on the Ecotec engines (both 1.4T and 1.8L) can begin leaking coolant between 40,000-80,000 miles. On the 1.4T, the water pump is driven by the timing chain, so failure can lead to more serious engine damage if coolant loss goes unnoticed. The 1.8L has a belt-driven pump that is easier and cheaper to replace.
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What does P0117 mean on Chevrolet?▼
P0117 stands for "Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit Low." This code means the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor is reading too low a voltage, which the computer interprets as an impossibly high coolant temperature. In most cases this is an electrical fault — such as a short to ground in the wiring — rather than the engine actually overheating. The coolant temperature signal affects fuel mixture, cooling fans, and other functions, so a bad reading can cause poor running, hard starting, or fans running constantly. The fault is usually in the sensor or its wiring. On Chevrolet specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P0117 on Chevrolet vehicles?▼
Common causes on Chevrolet: Faulty engine coolant temperature sensor, Short to ground in the sensor signal wire, Damaged or corroded wiring/connector at the sensor, Coolant contamination affecting the sensor, Poor electrical ground. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0117 on a Chevrolet?▼
Repair costs on Chevrolet range from $200 to $800, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Chevrolet models have P0117 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0117 on 1 Chevrolet model: Sonic.