Conditions for Setting the DTC

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The ECM detects a temperature difference at power-up that indicates that the ECT sensor is 30°C (54°F) warmer than the IAT sensor.
OR
The ECM detects a temperature difference at power-up that indicates that the ECT sensor is 16°C (29°F) warmer than the IAT sensor, and the time spent cranking the engine is greater than 10 seconds when the fuel level is greater than 10 percent.
OR
The ECM detects a temperature difference at power-up that indicates that the ECT sensor is 16°C (29°F) warmer than the IAT sensor. Then the vehicle must be driven for greater than 6 minutes and 40 seconds at greater than 24 km/h (15 mph). If the IAT sensor then decreases greater than 5°C (9°F), an engine block heater was detected and the test is aborted. If the IAT sensor does not decrease, an engine block heater was not detected and DTC P0116 will set.