Possible causes

– 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

Tech notes

If cooling system is not leaking and the fluid level is OK, replacing the thermostat usually takes care of the problem.

When is the code detected?

If the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) detects the calibrated amount of air flow and engine run time have been met, and the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) has not met the minimum thermostat regulating temperature, the code P0128 will set.

Symptoms

– Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)

P0128 SATURN Description

An Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor monitors the temperature of the coolant. This input is used by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) for engine control and as an enabling criteria for some diagnosis.
The air flow coming into the engine is accumulated and used to determine if the vehicle has been driven within the conditions that would allow the engine coolant to heat up normally to the thermostat regulating temperature. If the coolant temperature does not increase normally or does not reach the regulating temperature of the thermostat, the diagnostic that use ECT as enabling criteria may not run when expected.

SATURN Technical Service Bulletins for P0128 code