Coolant Temperature Sensor
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · 5.3L V8 EcoTec3 L83
Sensor Type
thermistor
Waveform Type
dc-variable
Location
Driver side of engine block, near thermostat housing below throttle body
Pins
2-pin connector
Timebase
1s/div or 5s/div for warm-up analysis
Voltage Scale
1V/div
Trigger
Not applicable for DC signal
Wiring
Yellow wire (signal to ECM), Black wire (ground)
Expected Voltage Range
At Idle
0.45V to 0.65V
At Higher RPM
0.4V to 0.6V
Expected Pattern
Smooth DC voltage that decreases as temperature increases, negative temperature coefficient thermistor
Known-Good Waveform
At cold start (70°F), expect 2.8-3.2V. As engine warms to operating temperature (195-220°F), voltage should smoothly decrease to 0.45-0.65V. The transition should be gradual with no sudden jumps or dropouts. At full operating temperature, voltage should remain stable with minimal fluctuation.
Common Failure Patterns
Voltage stuck at 4.8-5.0V regardless of temperature
Cause: Open circuit in sensor or wiring, broken sensor element
Voltage reads near 0V or drops to 0V intermittently
Cause: Short to ground in wiring or failed sensor with internal short
Diagnostic Tips
The L83 ECM provides a 5V reference through an internal pullup resistor. Verify 5V at sensor connector with key on, engine off. Common issue on these trucks is connector corrosion from coolant seepage at the sensor base - inspect connector carefully for green corrosion.
Related Diagnostic Trouble Codes
P0115P0116P0117P0118P0119
Always confirm waveform data with your vehicle's OEM service manual before diagnosing.
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