Coolant Temperature Sensor
2011 Ford F-150 · 3.5L V6 EcoBoost
Sensor Type
thermistor
Waveform Type
dc-variable
Location
Mounted in the cylinder head valley between the turbochargers, threaded into the coolant crossover passage
Pins
2-pin connector
Timebase
1s/div or 10s/div for warm-up trending
Voltage Scale
1V/div
Trigger
Free run or 2.5V falling
Wiring
Red/White (signal to PCM) and Black (sensor ground)
Expected Voltage Range
At Idle
0.5V to 2.5V
At Higher RPM
0.3V to 1.8V
Expected Pattern
Smooth negative temperature coefficient (NTC) voltage that decreases as temperature increases. Cold engine (68°F) shows approximately 3.0-3.5V, warm idle (195°F) shows 0.6-1.2V
Known-Good Waveform
A smooth declining voltage from cold start (3.0-3.5V at 68°F) to operating temperature (0.6-1.2V at 195°F) over 5-10 minutes. The voltage transition should be linear with no sudden jumps or dropouts. At full operating temperature, voltage should remain stable between 0.6-1.2V with minimal fluctuation (less than 0.1V variation).
Common Failure Patterns
Voltage stuck at 4.8-5.0V regardless of temperature
Cause: Open circuit in sensor element or broken signal wire
Voltage stuck near 0V or erratic jumps between extremes
Cause: Shorted sensor element or signal wire shorted to ground, common from turbo heat degradation
Diagnostic Tips
EcoBoost engines run this sensor in a high-heat environment between turbos. Check connector for coolant intrusion and pin corrosion. A resistance test at the sensor should show approximately 35-40kΩ at 68°F and 2-3kΩ at 195°F.
Related Diagnostic Trouble Codes
P0115P0116P0117P0118P0119
Always confirm waveform data with your vehicle's OEM service manual before diagnosing.
Free, no signup. View all waveforms for this vehicle