Technical P0115 fault, advice please!

[wedders]

Hi all

I was driving home last night in my 2004 Idea 1.4 when the screen flashed "Engine Failure"... I'd already noted the temp gauge had been sat below minimum for a while, and checking the OBD today it is indeed the coolant sensor.

This happened a year or two ago (before I had an OBD reader - "engine failure" scared the crap out of me!) and I gave it to a mechanic friend. He changed the sensor but advised it was more likely the wiring that caused the fault and it may reoccur.

Now I'm Googling this and reading it should be a fairly simple job to replace the wiring to this if necessary?

Does anyone have any other advice for fixing this? I haven't even looked under the bonnet yet (because it's pouring down today) and don't even know where this sensor is located, so any pointers on that would be good too! In fact, if anyone knows of a haynes manual type document for the Idea I'd love to know about it to help with any future niggles!

Thanks everyone

 

[Zeewulf]

Hi all

I was driving home last night in my 2004 Idea 1.4 when the screen flashed "Engine Failure"... I'd already noted the temp gauge had been sat below minimum for a while, and checking the OBD today it is indeed the coolant sensor.

This happened a year or two ago (before I had an OBD reader - "engine failure" scared the crap out of me!) and I gave it to a mechanic friend. He changed the sensor but advised it was more likely the wiring that caused the fault and it may reoccur.

Now I'm Googling this and reading it should be a fairly simple job to replace the wiring to this if necessary?

Does anyone have any other advice for fixing this? I haven't even looked under the bonnet yet (because it's pouring down today) and don't even know where this sensor is located, so any pointers on that would be good too! In fact, if anyone knows of a haynes manual type document for the Idea I'd love to know about it to help with any future niggles!

Thanks everyone

Firstly don't panic.

The Idea does have a habit of throwing up fault codes which aren't always genuine problems. I'm also assuming that you have a fault code reader (which one) due to knowing the code that's been stored.

Have you downloaded eLearn from here:
https://www.fiatforum.com/downloads.php?do=download&downloadid=357

Sort of a Haynes Manual with procedures, fault finding etc.

Secondly before we start replacing things we 'might' not have too, what sort of condition is your battery in ? Do you do regular short journeys so the battery doesn't get fully charged etc. If you are able too start by taking the battery off and giving it a full charge and check it's condition, re-attach it, clear the stored fault code and then see if it code error comes back.

This isn't going to cost you anything apart from time to start with and could rule out any battery/electrical problem before we start looking at other costs associated with the code if it returns.

I know this doesn't answer your initial query but it's best to rule out the basics first. Also make sure the coolant is topped up and bled properly, eLearn can tell you where the TWO bleed points are.

 

[wedders]

Hi Zee,

Don't worry I'm not panicking! As I say it's happened before so I know it's not much of a problem, esp. as the fan runs constantly with this fault.

I've got a cheap ELM327 from eBay, used Torque Pro to read the fault.

I have not seen eLearn, I'll check it out shortly.

As for the battery: It was new at MOT in October as the old one did give me grief esp. in winter. Mostly just doing short commutes, but since Christmas I've been covering a bunch more miles most days so the battery should be pretty topped off. When the fault occurred last night I was finishing a 50m round trip.

I had to go out a bit after posting this so I checked oil and coolant and they were both basically on the min. Usually have a service with MOT but didn't last year, completely forgot, d'oh!
Topped up both and went on my short errand, and on the way back I noticed the temp dial actually had a temperature rather than being below the min mark.

I haven't tried to reset the fault yet which I guess I can do with Torque? But it seems like it may have been a lack of coolant, or I hit a bump and knocked something back in place ha!

 

[Zeewulf]

I use MultiEcuScan, means I can reset the service side of thing and turn on/off my indicators for the alarm as well as clear codes etc. Not bad for £50 software and my old used Toughbook.

http://www.multiecuscan.net/

I also have the 1.4 in Eleganza spec. Just need to find two drivers side doors in Silver as when I bought it they were both damaged. But £150 for a 65k car i wasn't complaining....

I'm also looking at fitting the later 120amp Alternator which I already have and the Cold Weather conversion i.e. Bigger Battery tray and Battery, maybe even do the heated seats as the wiring looks like it's already there.