I keep getting a p1028 code saying my coolant is not at the proper temperature. My check engine light comes on when it gets cold outside. when it warms back up it goes off. so living in the south this time of year it is warm one day and cold the next. so one day it may be on and another it is not. at first I was thinking I had a thermostat getting stuck open. but after noticing this pattern I am not so sure. one thing that still leads me to believe it is the themostat when the light is on on a cold start the temperature gauge is bottomed out. any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

Here is what I found on P0128 code:
- Leaking or stuck open thermostat
- Low engine coolant level
- Insufficient warm up time
- Faulty engine coolant temperature sensor
- Engine coolant temperature sensor harness is open or shorted
- Engine coolant temperature sensor circuit poor electrical connection
When is the code detected?
The engine coolant temperature does not reach to specified temperature even though the engine has run long enough.
P0128 Hyundai Description
Coolant thermostat (coolant temperature below thermostat regulating temperature). Indicates that the thermostat monitor has not achieved the required engine operating temperature within a specified amount of time after starting the engine.
I WOULD TAKE IT TO A DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP, ONE THAT HAS YOUNG MECHANICS THAT UNDERSTAND TROUBLESHOOTING CODES AND SEARCHING YOUR CAR COMPUTER FOR SOFT AND HARD CODES THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THIS CODE. YOUR COMPUTER SOMETIMES KEEPS A HISTORY OF CODES.
GOOD LUCK
Read more: http://engine-codes.com/p0128_hyundai.html#ixzz3JpRiZ9eN

This means that the engine's PCM detected that the engine has not reached the required temperature level within a specified amount of time after starting the engine. The intent of the P0128 code is to indicate a faulty thermostat. In determining the engine did not reach a "normal" temperature, it takes into account the length of time the vehicle has been running, the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor reading, the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor reading, and the speed of the vehicle.
A code P0128 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:

• Low engine coolant level
• Leaking or stuck open thermostat
• Faulty cooling fan (running too much)
• Faulty coolant temperature (ECT) sensor
• Faulty intake air temperature (IAT) sensor

Past experience indicates that the most likely solution is to replace the thermostat. However here are some suggestions on troubleshooting and repairing a P0128 OBD-II code:

• Verify coolant strength & level
• Verify proper cooling fan operation (check if it's running more than it should). Replace if necessary.
• Verify proper engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor operation, replace if necessary.
• Verify proper intake air temperature (IAT) sensor operation, replace if necessary.
• If the above items check out good, replace the thermostat

you have all ready replaced the thermostat with the proper temperature opening thermostat(hopefully) and coolant sensor, you say you have to refill the coolant every 2 weeks this indicates that you either have a coolant leak that needs to be checked out and repaired or you are burning coolant which indicates a possible head gasket problem which will have to be checked. a low coolant level will set this code as there is not enough coolant in the engine to get the engine to operating temperature and stay there. these last suggestions is where I would start to look.

Hello, If you go to Engine-Codes.com you will find that this code is for a low Starter Relay circuit. At best, I can say to go to get a free "Starter Draw" test at Autozone or another big chain store.
You may have a bad starter relay or a bad ground to the starter or perhaps corroded wiring. It is also listed under the Dodge brand list of Codes. Perhaps searching for Dodge defects will give you a specific repair.
The onboard computers have a general list of defects which are monitored. This warning is something for Suzuki's and Dodge models only. Even the Suzuki Blog had suggested P0128 instead as it was not in the 2002 Model that info was requested for. In that case, it was a transposed number for a bad coolant sensor.
But your defect Code p1028 does exist and I found it at that site with a Browser search.

I hope my solution is helpful. Maybe you can find a Suzuki or Dodge expert for help.

P0116 - Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Circuit Range/Performance Problem
The ECT (Engine coolant temperature) sensor is a thermistor which changes resistance based on temperature of the coolant in contact with it. The ECT sensor will be located in the block or coolant passage. Usually it is a two wire sensor. One wire is a 5 Volt supply from the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) to the ECT. The other is a ground to the ECT.

As the temperature of the coolant changes the resistance on the signal wire changes accordingly. The PCM monitors the reading and determines coolant temperature in order to perform essential engine fuel management. When engine coolant is low, sensor resistance is high. The PCM will see a high signal voltage (low temperature). When coolant is warm, the sensor's resistance is low and the PCM will see a high temperature. The PCM expects to see slow resistance changes on the ECT signal circuit. If it sees a quick change in voltage that isn't consistent with an engine warming up, this P0116 code will set. Or if it sees a lack of change in ECT signal, this code may set.

Symptoms: There may be no noticeable symptoms if the problem is very intermittent, however the following may occur:
MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) illumination
Poor drivability
Black smoke at tailpipe
Poor fuel economy
May not idle
May exhibit stalling or misfires

Causes: Potential causes of the P0116 code include:
Missing or stuck-open thermostat
Bad ECT sensor
Short or open on signal wire
Short or open on ground wire
Poor connections in wiring

Possible Solutions: If there are any other ECT sensor codes, diagnose them first.
Using a scan tool, check the ECT reading. On a cold engine, it should match the IAT reading or should be equal to ambient (outside) temperature reading. If it does match the IAT or ambient temp, check the freeze frame data on your scan tool (if equipped). The saved data should tell you what the ECT reading was when the fault occurred.

a) If the saved info indicates that the engine coolant reading was at the coldest exreme (around -30 deg. F) then that's a good indication the ECT resistance was intermittently high (unless you live in Anchorage!) Check for an open in the ECT sensor ground and signal circuits and repair as necessary. If they appear okay, warm the engine up while monitoring the ECT for any intermittent jumps high or low. If there are replace the ECT.

b) If the saved info indicates that the engine coolant reading was at the warmest exreme (around 250+ deg.F) then that's a good indication the ECT resistance was intermittently low. Check for a short to ground on the signal circuit and repair as necessary. If it appears okay, warm the engine up while monitoring the ECT for any intermittent jumps high or low. If there are replace the ECT.

Other ECT sensor and circuit related DTCs: P0115, P0117, P0118, P0119, P0125, P0128
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P0128 Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature)
This means that the engine's PCM detected that the engine has not reached the required temperature level within a specified amount of time after starting the engine. The intent of the P0128 code is to indicate a faulty thermostat. Similar codes: P0125

In determining the engine did not reach a "normal" temperature, it takes into account the length of time the vehicle has been running, the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor reading, the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor reading, and the speed of the vehicle.

Symptoms: You will likely not notice any drivability problems other than the MIL illumination.

Causes: A code P0128 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:
Low engine coolant level
Leaking or stuck open thermostat
Faulty cooling fan (running too much)
Faulty coolant temperature (ECT) sensor
Faulty intake air temperature (IAT) sensor

Possible Solutions: Past experience indicates that the most likely solution is to replace the thermostat. However here are some suggestions on troubleshooting and repairing a P0128 OBD-II code:
Verify coolant strength & level
Verify proper cooling fan operation (check if it's running more than it should). Replace if necessary.
Verify proper engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor operation, replace if necessary.
Verify proper intake air temperature (IAT) sensor operation, replace if necessary.
If the above items check out good, replace the thermostat
If Nissan vehicle, check for Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), as the ECM may need to be reprogrammed to correct the P0128 code



These codes are telling you that the engine temperature is not sufficient. This can be caused by a faulty coolant sensor,air in the cooling system,or a faulty computer.
The engine should run at 190 F & higher when warmed up. Scan the computer system to view engine temperature.

Keep us updated.

OVERHEATING CAN BE CAUSE BY MANY THINGS LIKE FAULTY THERMOSTAT AND FAULTY RADIATOR PRESSURE CAP,TOO MUCH WATER IN COOLANT SYSTEM NEED 50 / 50 WATER AND ANTIFREEZE.LOOK FOR WATER PUMP WEEP HOLE LEAK, IF COOLANT LEAKING OUT WEEP HOLE WATER PUMP BAD NEED REPLACING.CHECK FOR LOW COOLANT LEVEL, YOUR RADIATOR OVERFLOW JUG SHOULD HAVE COOLANT AT THE FULL COLD MARK IF NOT KEEP ADDING COOLANT INTO COOLANT OVERFLOW JUG UNTIL COOLANT STOP DROPPING AND FULL COLD MARK, IF OVERFLOW COOLANT JUG WAS EMPTY RADIATOR IS LOW ON COOLANT.WHICH CAUSE AIR IN COOLANT SYSTEM KEEPING THE ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR FROM BEING SUBMERGE IN HOT COOLANT WHICH TURN ON THE COOLANT FANS.WHEN ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GET CERTAIN SET TEMPERATURE LIKE 190 DEGREES THE PCM AND COOLANT SENSOR WILL TURN ON COOLANT FANS, IF VECHICLE OVERHEATING COOLANT FANS NOT WORKING EITHER YOU HAVE FAULTY ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR CHECK COOLANT FANS FUSE AND RELAYS. YOU CAN CODE SCAN CAR TO SEE IF YOU HAVE FAULTY PCM, FAULTY ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR OR FAULTY COOLANT FAN RELAY.IF COOLANT FAN AND ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR OKAY,YOU HAVE CORRECT COOLANT LEVEL IN COOLANT SYSTEM, THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR PRESSURE CAP BEEN REPLACED, YOU COULD HAVE BLOWN HEAD GASKET CHECK ENGINE OIL LOOKS LIKE MILK SHAKE HEAD GASKET BLOWED ALSO WHEN HEAD GASKET BLOWED YOU CAN DRIVE CAR SHORT DISTANCE START OVERHEATING AND YOU LOOSE ENGINE POWER SUSPECT BLOWED HEAD GASKET.

I also own a 2004 XG 350 and I agree with you. The first thought that comes to mind is a malfunction in the Auto AC control module (that's the virtical console unit which you adjust the fan speed, Auto, Mode, Recirculate, etc. are located). The other thought which occurs to me is that you might have a 'low engine coolant' condition (but that would eventually turn on your "Check Engine Light" and a code would be set indicating the Thermostat was not working properly). Did the Svc Mgr scan your vehicle for any DTC's (Diagnostic Trouble Codes)? If he didn't (or if he didn't have a technician do it), then you'll want to have that done so you'll at least know this may not be the problem. Sometimes the thermostat can stick 'OPEN" and the engine doesn't reach it's operating temperature (which is where you get the heat to warm up the inside of the car)... so, if the engine is 'COLD' so would also be the coolant and it's the coolant that brings the heat into the passenger compartment (via the heater core).

This means that the engine's PCM detected that the engine has not reached the required temperature level within a specified amount of time after starting the engine. The intent of the P0128 code is to indicate a faulty thermostat. Similar codes: P0125

In determining the engine did not reach a "normal" temperature, it takes into account the length of time the vehicle has been running, the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor reading, the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor reading, and the speed of the vehicle.

A code P0128 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:

• Low engine coolant level
• Leaking or stuck open thermostat
• Faulty cooling fan (running too much)
• Faulty coolant temperature (ECT) sensor
• Faulty intake air temperature (IAT) sensor

Past experience indicates that the most likely solution is to replace the thermostat. However here are some suggestions on troubleshooting and repairing a P0128 OBD-II code:

• Verify coolant strength & level
• Verify proper cooling fan operation (check if it's running more than it should). Replace if necessary.
• Verify proper engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor operation, replace if necessary.
• Verify proper intake air temperature (IAT) sensor operation, replace if necessary.
• If the above items check out good, replace the thermostat

REFERENCE: http://www.obd-codes.com/p0128

I hope this helps a bit!

this code indicates the engine is running below correct coolant temp (running cold), replace the thermostat and clear the code.

this code indicates the engine is running cold, below 160 degrees Fahrenheit, replace the thermostat and clear the code.

Calvin...... You need to treat your Jeep to a new THERMOSTAT. The Overdrive is connected to the engine coolant temperature and if the engine is n ot warmed up properly, the Overdrive will not engage. Try to get a thermostat from the Jeep dealer so you will have exactly the right one, some of the cheapoie ones will not work right. Dave in Iowa