Circuit/System Description
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2017 GMC Acadia. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The purpose of this diagnostic is to analyze the performance of the thermostat by using the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor to determine if the engine coolant will increase at the correct rate, and also to meet the calibrated target temperatures under various operating conditions.
The ECM uses the start-up ECT and the start-up intake air temperature (IAT) to begin the diagnostic calculation. The air flow into the engine is accumulated, and vehicle speed, distance, and engine run time are also factored in to determine if the ECT does increase normally and reach the calibrated target temperatures.