Circuit/System Description
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2018 GMC Yukon XL, 2018 GMC Yukon, 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2018 Chevrolet Suburban, and 2018 Cadillac Escalade ESV. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor is a variable resistor that measures the temperature of the engine coolant. The engine control module (ECM) supplies 5 V to the ECT sensor signal circuit and a ground for the low reference circuit.
The ECM uses this high side coolant rationality diagnostic to determine if the input from the ECT sensor is skewed warmer than normal. The internal clock of the ECM will record the amount of time the ignition is OFF. If the calibrated ignition OFF time is met at start-up, the ECM will compare the temperature difference between the ECT and the intake air temperature (IAT) to determine if the temperatures are within an acceptable operating range of each other.