Check Engine Light On - Something to do with Thermostat
Hi. Have an '06 Fusion.
Light has been on for the better part of 2 years now. Three times I have had it diagnosed for free while doing something else at the shop. The reading says:
** Continous Memory Codes-Fix Last **
P0128 Coolant Thermostat
My mech briefly explained I may need a new thermostat. So I emailed 9 dealerships asking how much it is for a new one. Only 1 replied. By the way, this is standard for dealers in Canada and US, which I noticed from 7 years of owning this car and that's why I have to email so many of them just to get a response. The vast majority of dealers don't respond to emails even though I'm trying to give them business.
Anyway, the response was:
Good afternoon,
Hope this helps, you may have to bring the vehicle in for a diagnosis.
Description
Indicates that the thermostat monitor has not achieved the required engine operating temperature within a specified amount of time after starting the engine.
Possible Causes
· Insufficient warm up time
· Low engine coolant level
· Leaking or stuck open thermostat
· Inoperative engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor
· Inoperative cylinder head temperature (CHT) sensor
Diagnostic Aids
Refer to Section 1, Thermostat Monitor for system information.
Thank you.
So this didn't help me much since I don't know how to interpret this and I don't want to spend the money for them to diagnose.
Any ideas what this means and whether it's possible I may just simply need a new thermostat and any mech can install this? Or do you think I have to bring it back to my mech for them to look into this further before advising me what I need to buy and how much labour it will take to install?
I have to do my drive clean by Sept. and even though I could try and reset it and do the drive cycle, I figure I should get it fixed since I'm thinking of changing cars.
Light has been on for the better part of 2 years now. Three times I have had it diagnosed for free while doing something else at the shop. The reading says:
** Continous Memory Codes-Fix Last **
P0128 Coolant Thermostat
My mech briefly explained I may need a new thermostat. So I emailed 9 dealerships asking how much it is for a new one. Only 1 replied. By the way, this is standard for dealers in Canada and US, which I noticed from 7 years of owning this car and that's why I have to email so many of them just to get a response. The vast majority of dealers don't respond to emails even though I'm trying to give them business.
Anyway, the response was:
Good afternoon,
Hope this helps, you may have to bring the vehicle in for a diagnosis.
Description
Indicates that the thermostat monitor has not achieved the required engine operating temperature within a specified amount of time after starting the engine.
Possible Causes
· Insufficient warm up time
· Low engine coolant level
· Leaking or stuck open thermostat
· Inoperative engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor
· Inoperative cylinder head temperature (CHT) sensor
Diagnostic Aids
Refer to Section 1, Thermostat Monitor for system information.
Thank you.
So this didn't help me much since I don't know how to interpret this and I don't want to spend the money for them to diagnose.
Any ideas what this means and whether it's possible I may just simply need a new thermostat and any mech can install this? Or do you think I have to bring it back to my mech for them to look into this further before advising me what I need to buy and how much labour it will take to install?
I have to do my drive clean by Sept. and even though I could try and reset it and do the drive cycle, I figure I should get it fixed since I'm thinking of changing cars.