Getting any fault code on your car is never a good thing, but there are some that are more important than others. The “Engine Coolant Over Temperature” fault code is one of those.
In this article, I am going to explain to you what engine coolant over temperature means on your Ford, what causes it, and how to fix it.
What Does Engine Coolant Over Temperature Mean on a Ford Fusion?
The error fault code simply means that your Ford has detected that the temperature of your engine coolant is too high. This is a very common problem on ford fusions and can happen for a number of reasons, which I will discuss below.
What Causes Ford’s” Engine Coolant Overtemperature”?
Bad Coolant Temperature Sensor
The most common cause for this issue is a bad coolant temperature sensor. As Auto tech, I would say this is the most common cause of engine coolant over temperature on a Ford Fusion.
The Coolant temperature sensor is responsible for monitoring the temperature of your engine coolant. If this sensor fails or becomes loose, it will throw up the code, usually followed by a p1229 (cylinder head overtemperature).
The coolant temp sensor is known to fail in most Ford vehicles, usually caused by water/coolant leaking into the sensor itself.
Related: Ford Fusion Common Problems
Other Possible Causes for “Engine Coolant Overtemperature”
Now, we know that 98% of the coolant temperature sensor is the most common cause of engine coolant over temperature on a Ford Fusion. That said, there are other possible causes that can cause the issue.
Bad thermostat
A thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature of your engine. It does this by restricting the flow of coolant from the radiator to the engine at a certain temperature level.
If your thermostat fails it can cause the coolant temperature to increase, causing the car to overheat.
Low Coolant
If your car has low coolant, it will not be able to maintain the proper temperature. This can cause the engine to overheat and trigger an “Engine Coolant Overtemperature” warning on your dashboard.
Low coolant can also cause other issues such as engine overheating.
Blown Headgasket
A blown head gasket is a problem that occurs when the gasket between your engine’s cylinder head and the block becomes damaged or completely fails.
When this happens, it allows coolant to leak into the combustion chamber of one or more cylinders and causes them to overheat.
This can also lead to major problems with your vehicle’s performance as well as damage to other parts of your engine.
Leaking Radiator
A radiator is one of the most vital components of your Ford cooling system and is responsible for cooling the engine’s coolant. If your radiator leaks, it will allow coolant to escape into the vehicle and potentially cause damage.
A leaking radiator can also cause overheating issues that may result in a blown head gasket or other serious problems with your Ford.
What to Do if Your Ford Fusion is Displaying Engine coolant overtemperature?
1. Replace the Coolant Temperature Sensor
The number one thing you need to do if you are experiencing engine coolant overtemperature is to stop your vehicle where it’s convenient and get a mechanic to check the engine temperature coolant sensor and replace the current one with a new one.
Luckily, these sensors are relatively cheap to get and you can get one from the nearest ford dealership.
You should also check if there is any coolant leaking from the engine, this can be done by looking under the hood and checking for puddles of coolant or seeing if the fluid level in your vehicle is low.
If you see any leaks then make sure to have them fixed immediately by a professional mechanic.
You can either get the temperature sensor replaced at your nearest ford dealership or you can go to an independent mechanic for this job.
However, it is important that you get the work done by a professional so that your vehicle does not develop any other problems in the future.
2. Reset the fault Code with an OBD Scanner
After you replaced the Coolant Temp Sensor, you will need to clear the fault code.
To do this, you will need to use an OBD scanner, which is a device that plugs into your car’s diagnostic port and reads the codes from the ECU (Engine Control Unit).
The Ford dealer or any qualified mechanic should be able to install and use an OBD scanner. Once they have cleared the fault code, you should be good to go.
Additional Sources
https://www.holtsauto.com/prestone/news/coolant-temperature-sensor/.
https://www.yourmechanic.com/estimates/ford/fusion/thermostatic-vacuum-sensor-replacement