P0119: Engine coolant temperature sensor circuit intermittent
The engine temperature sensor signal drops out or jumps now and then. It is almost always a loose connector, corrosion or a wire with a poor contact.
| Code | P0119 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P01xx, Air and fuel metering |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0119 means
Engine temperature changes gradually, so if the signal jumps suddenly or vanishes, the ECU knows it is not real and stores this code. It is usually a poor contact that shows up with vibration or heat. While it lasts, the ECU may handle the fan or the fuel mixture badly.
Most common causes
- Loose sensor connector, spread pins or coolant inside it
- Corroded connector terminals
- A wire broken inside its insulation making contact on and off
- Loose engine earth
- The sensor itself with an intermittent internal fault
Symptoms
- Temperature gauge jumping suddenly
- Radiator fan switching on for no reason
- Engine warning light coming and going
- Rough idle or jerking when cold
Can you drive with P0119?
With care You can drive, but watch the temperature: with a faulty signal the ECU may not switch the fan on in time. Get it to a garage soon.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
With the engine idling and coolant temperature on screen, gently wiggle the sensor connector and wiring. If the reading jumps as you move them, that is the poor contact; also check for coolant inside the connector.
How to read and clear P0119 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0119 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P0115 Engine coolant temperature sensor circuit fault
- P0116 Engine coolant temperature sensor range or performance
- P0117 Engine coolant temperature sensor circuit low
- P0118 Engine coolant temperature sensor circuit high
- P011A Engine coolant temperature sensors 1 and 2 do not agree
- P011B Engine coolant temperature does not match intake air temperature
- P011C Charge air and intake air temperatures on bank 1 do not agree
- P011D Charge air and intake air temperatures on bank 2 do not agree
- P0100 Mass or volume air flow sensor circuit fault
- P0101 Air flow sensor range or performance problem
- P0102 Air flow sensor circuit low input
- P0103 Air flow sensor circuit high input
What does code P0119 mean?
Engine temperature changes gradually, so if the signal jumps suddenly or vanishes, the ECU knows it is not real and stores this code. It is usually a poor contact that shows up with vibration or heat. While it lasts, the ECU may handle the fan or the fuel mixture badly.
Can you drive with P0119?
You can drive, but watch the temperature: with a faulty signal the ECU may not switch the fan on in time. Get it to a garage soon.
How do you clear P0119?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0119 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
