Coolant temp circuit malfunction
What P0115 means
Your car's computer set P0115: Coolant temp circuit malfunction. It belongs to the fuel and air metering group of codes. It is a generic code, so it means the same thing on every make. The check engine light usually comes on once the fault has been seen on two drives in a row. Until then it shows up as a pending code.
Can I keep driving? Usually safe to drive for now, but get it checked soon. Left alone it can lower fuel economy, fail an emissions test or lead to a bigger repair.
Common causes
- Failed coolant temperature sensor
- Damaged connector or wiring
- Low coolant leaving the sensor in air
Fix the cheapest, most likely cause first. Clearing the code without a repair only turns the light off until the fault comes back.
Check it yourself
Compare coolant temperature with intake air temperature on a cold start. They should be close.
Torque Deck reads P0115 with a cheap Bluetooth OBD2 adapter. It also shows the freeze frame (engine conditions at the moment the code set) and the live data you need to narrow it down.
Parts
Parts most often replaced for P0115: coolant temperature sensor. Confirm the cause first, and match the part to your exact engine.
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Related codes
This page explains what the code usually means. It is not a diagnosis of your car. When in doubt, ask a mechanic.