Thermostat Monitor

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2021 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fail Safe Cooling

A strategy called Fail Safe Cooling is built into the PCM that will control the engine if it starts to overheat.

Stage 1 of the strategy commences if the engine starts to overheat. The CHT sensor transmits a signal to the PCM, which moves the temperature gauge pointer into the red zone.

If the engine is not switched off and the temperature continues to rise, the Powertrain Check Lamp is illuminated. This indicates to the driver that the engine is approaching critical limits and should be stopped. At this point DTC P1285 is set in the PCM which can be retrieved using a scan tool.

Stage 2 of the strategy commences if the lamp and temperature gauge are ignored by the driver. The PCM will start to control the engine by cutting out 2 cylinders and restricting the RPM to below 3, 000 RPM. Simultaneously the MIL illuminates. This indicates that long term engine damage can occur and vehicle emissions will be affected. At this point DTC P1299 is set in the PCM which can be retrieved using a scan tool.

Air is drawn into the deactivated cylinders. This helps to control the temperature of the engine internal components. The deactivated cylinders are alternated to allow even cooling of all the cylinders.

NOTE: If the driver is using a high percentage of throttle travel (for example, an overtaking maneuver) when the PCM starts engine deactivation (Stage 2), the deactivation will be delayed for 10 seconds.

NOTE: After 2-cylinder operation has begun, the engine will not revert to 4-cylinder operation, even if the temperature should fall, until the ignition is switched off and then on again.

NOTE: The MIL can only be extinguished by using a scan tool after the fault has been rectified and the DTC cleared.

Stage 3 of the strategy will commence if the engine temperature continues to rise. This results in the engine being totally disabled before major engine damage or seizure occurs. The Powertrain Check Lamp will begin to flash, indicating to the driver that the engine will be switched off after 30 seconds. This allows the driver time to choose a suitable parking place.

Thermostat Monitor

The thermostat monitors identify a thermostat concern.

During a cold start, when the thermostat should be closed, the thermostat monitor uses intake air temperature, engine speed, and engine load to predict the engine coolant temperature. Once the predicted temperature has exceeded a target temperature for a length of time, the actual engine coolant temperature is compared to its required threshold. This threshold is 11°C (20°F) below the thermostat regulating temperature. If the engine coolant temperature exceeds this threshold, the thermostat is functioning correctly. If the engine coolant temperature is too low, the thermostat may be stuck open and a DTC sets. This monitor is executed once per drive cycle during a cold start and has a run duration of 300 seconds.

During a cold start, when the thermostat should be closed, the heavy duty thermostat monitor uses intake air temperature, engine speed, and engine load to predict the engine coolant temperature. Once the predicted temperature has exceeded a target temperature for a length of time, the actual engine coolant temperature is compared to its required threshold. This threshold is 11°C (20°F) below the thermostat regulating temperature. If the engine coolant temperature exceeds this threshold, the thermostat is functioning correctly. If the engine coolant temperature is too low, the thermostat may be stuck open and a DTC sets. This monitor is executed during a cold start. After passing the cold start monitor conditions the actual engine coolant temperature is continuously compared to the thermostat regulating temperature threshold. If measured engine coolant temperature drops below the thermostat regulating temperature threshold the cold start monitor is enabled again and the timer resets. If the engine coolant temperature is too low, the thermostat may be stuck open and a DTC sets.