All codes › P0116
P0116: Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Range/Performance
What it means
The coolant temperature reading isn't changing the way it should as the engine warms up.
Severity: Medium Inaccurate temperature can hurt economy and fan control.
Common causes
- Coolant temp sensor reading inaccurately
- Thermostat stuck open
- Low coolant
- Air pocket around sensor
Most common causes first. Exact causes vary by make, model and engine.
Can I fix it myself?
Often DIY. Compare the scan-tool coolant temp to an IR thermometer reading.
Repair cost
SEEDED ESTIMATE Roughly $40–$210
Most likely repair: coolant temperature sensor. Diagnosis fees, taxes and other causes are not included.
| Line | Low | High | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coolant temperature sensor | $12 | $50 | Typical listed retail range, source |
| Labor 0.3–1 hr | $30 | $160 | $100–$160/hr, shop survey |
⚠️ This is an editorial placeholder range for this type of repair. It is not based on real invoices or licensed pricing data yet. Real ranges will appear here once enough reader invoices for P0116 are verified.
Verified reader invoices for P0116: 0. Share your repair bill to help build real costs.
Tools that can read P0116
- ScanFixAI: Pro $29.99/mo or $249.99/yr
- OBDAI: Annual PRO bundle $299
- BlueDriver Pro Next-Gen: $119.95 list ($99.95 sale seen)
The Check Engine Weekly
One email a week: new AI diagnostic tools, real repair costs from reader invoices, and one code explained.
Newsletter launching soon.