C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

ECM code 15

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Old Apr 14, 2013 | 08:54 PM
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Default ECM code 15

I now have a "service engine soon" light - I checked the ECM code which returned 15 - coolant sensor temp. I recently replaced the coolant sensor temp gauge and have driven a little over 50 miles with no problems, now suddenly the error code started. The connections on the sensor look fine. Not long ago I installed a 160 degree thermostat, could that have something to do with it? Also, when I reset the system, it keeps giving me the error...what should I do next? Thanks for your help.
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Old Apr 14, 2013 | 09:05 PM
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ground the low coolant wire and see if that stops the code. Thats should complete the circuit. The FSM will have a process for this code.
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Old Apr 14, 2013 | 09:44 PM
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Originally Posted by leesvet
ground the low coolant wire and see if that stops the code. .
Code 15 Low coolant TEMP indicated; not the coolant level
A CTS fault
http://www.chevythunder.com/cts_diagnostic_pg2.htm


The partner to Code 14 ; high coolant temp indicated

Originally Posted by leesvet
The FSM will have a process for this code.
There is no connection to the ECM or a error code for the low coolant LEVEL sensor you speak of
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Old Apr 14, 2013 | 09:48 PM
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Here's what the code indicates...WW

14 Check wiring, connectors, thermostat. Monitor actual engine temperature. If within limits, and wiring/connector is OK, change thermostat and/or sensor.

15 Coolant Sensor Circuit (Low)..See above, particularly thermostat

Last edited by WW7; Apr 14, 2013 at 10:15 PM.
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Old Apr 14, 2013 | 09:54 PM
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Originally Posted by vetteoz
Code 15 Low coolant TEMP indicated; not the coolant level
A CTS fault
http://www.chevythunder.com/cts_diagnostic_pg2.htm


The partner to Code 14 ; high coolant temp indicated


There is no connection to the ECM or a error code for the low coolant LEVEL sensor you speak of
I stand corrected...

I misread something. I thought it said low sensor....when it actually says "low resistence"...in sensor.

14 & 15 are partners in the coolant sensor circuit health...one is to show an open or break in the circuit the other indicates its shorted...easy enough to diagnose with that.
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Old Apr 14, 2013 | 10:06 PM
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Ok, so if I understand correctly, because I installed a 160 degree thermostat, the system is sensing this as a problem? All of the connections are fine as far as I can see. After I installed the new thermostat, it has been running cooler...under the 220 it typically ran before. Obviously I don't want to do any long term damage...Thanks for your help.
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Old Apr 14, 2013 | 10:19 PM
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Originally Posted by ninetytwoc4
Ok, so if I understand correctly, because I installed a 160 degree thermostat, the system is sensing this as a problem? All of the connections are fine as far as I can see. After I installed the new thermostat, it has been running cooler...under the 220 it typically ran before. Obviously I don't want to do any long term damage...Thanks for your help.
No.

Not at all.
The engine will see temps lower than that every day.

You are not reading the description right...

its indicating that the wire is either shorted OR grounded somewhere. Code 14 or 15. These codes show the circult health, NOT the sensors working range. Everybody has a 160 stat....nobody else has a code 15.
Its a wire problem.
Go thru your grounds, separate your harness and inspect it. trace the wire to its source. Might need to be replaced. C4 wire is fragile and prone to insulation hardening and coming apart.

Another way of reading that code is low temp, which is the same as an open circuit? or high resistence..I forget which. The actual temp is not the issue according to the code list...its a signal that its reading a resistence thats lower than it should be for what is going on with the engine...more than likely a wire issue or connection somewhere. Possibly a sensor at fault. It happens. Is that the correct sensor for that location?

Last edited by leesvet; Apr 14, 2013 at 10:22 PM.
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Old Apr 14, 2013 | 10:52 PM
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Looks like I have some wire tracing to do. Again, thanks for the advice.
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 01:12 AM
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Originally Posted by leesvet
Possibly a sensor at fault. It happens.


Given the age of these cars, consider replacing the CTS as periodic maintenance ( at $14 )

http://tpiparts.net/inc/sdetail/10956/497

Originally Posted by leesvet
Its a wire problem.
Go thru your grounds, separate your harness and inspect it. trace the wire to its source. Might need to be replaced. C4 wire is fragile and prone to insulation hardening and coming apart.
The link I posted above has the FSM flowchart to follow in order to determine the fault

Last edited by vetteoz; Apr 15, 2013 at 01:15 AM.
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 02:46 AM
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You should be looking at the coolant temperature sensor on the front of the intake manifold under the throttle body. That is the one the ECM uses.
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Old Sep 29, 2013 | 08:29 AM
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Default poor running and hesitation

Originally Posted by Cliff Harris
You should be looking at the coolant temperature sensor on the front of the intake manifold under the throttle body. That is the one the ECM uses.
My 1984 4 plus 3 is running poorly. It will start but I really have to play with the gas to get the car to move. Hard throttling stalls the car. I read the codes and got a 15. I have a short in my cooling fan. keeps blowing the 3 amp dash fuse. Oh and I replaced a fuseable link.
I have power at the connector in the blue and red wire. Then when the coolant hits 205, the fan switch temperature, the fuse blows.
The blue wire goes from the connector into the dash.
I thought that if I grounded the switch wire the fan would run. but it does not run. Any ideas? sorry for the long post
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Old Sep 29, 2013 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by jseremba
I read the codes and got a 15.
This should be a new question
There is a link I posted above on how to diagnose and fix a code 15 problem
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Old Sep 29, 2013 | 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by vetteoz
This should be a new question
There is a link I posted above on how to diagnose and fix a code 15 problem
thank you I will look for it is the title code 15
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Old Sep 29, 2013 | 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by jseremba
is the title code 15


Posted above
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1583639262-post3.html

You are supposed to read all the previous posts before writing to a thread
not just tack a question on at the end.
Your question may have already been answered
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Old Sep 29, 2013 | 12:17 PM
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Vetteoz truly sorry but everytime I look for old posts I put a topic in the search bar and I got every post on the list not even pertaining to the search. I will try again
really sorry for the poor etiquette.
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Old Sep 30, 2013 | 01:44 AM
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The search feature is set up such that it searches on each word you enter and then shows all the results.

For example, if you search on "stall speed", it will show all the results for "stall" plus all the results for "speed". You end up with a zillion results. Try searching on a single word. That can be difficult... ;-)

You're better off searching Google for "Corvette Forum" plus your search terms. There are a lot more options for search terms.
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Old Sep 30, 2013 | 04:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Cliff Harris
The search feature is set up such that it searches on each word you enter and then shows all the results.

For example, if you search on "stall speed", it will show all the results for "stall" plus all the results for "speed". You end up with a zillion results. Try searching on a single word. That can be difficult... ;-)

You're better off searching Google for "Corvette Forum" plus your search terms. There are a lot more options for search terms.
thank you for the help. I was actually thinking that searching google I often find threads on the forum.
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