Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Low
The POWERSTROKE-P0117 (Power Stroke) diesel fault code means: Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Low. This is a moderate severity code.
- Keep driving?
- Yes, but fix soon
- DIY difficulty
- beginner
Down with a Power Stroke fault on the road?
We are building a network of verified mobile diesel and reefer technicians along the freight corridor. It is not live yet — no one can be dispatched to you today. You can see where the pilot is launching and register interest.
View pilot availability →A $30 car code reader can't do diesel. The HD7000 reads full-system codes and does parked DPF regen, idle/speed-limit, and service resets from the cab — on everything from a 6.7 Cummins/Power Stroke/Duramax pickup to Class-8 trucks (Detroit, Paccar, CAT, Volvo, Mack, International).
Full-system 6/9/16-pin diesel scan tool for Cummins, Paccar, CAT, Detroit and more — plug-and-play, no subscription. A cheaper way to read heavy-duty codes a basic OBD2 scanner skips entirely.
Affiliate links — we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What Are the Symptoms of POWERSTROKE-P0117?
- Check Engine Light on
- Possible reduced power or rough running
- Possible hard starting
What Causes POWERSTROKE-P0117? (Most Likely First)
- Signal wire shorted to ground High
- Failed sensor High
- Corroded or damaged connector Moderate
- Engine computer input fault Low
Can I Still Drive with POWERSTROKE-P0117?
Yes, but fix soon. POWERSTROKE-P0117 is rated moderate severity. It is not an immediate stop-driving fault, but it will not clear itself — book the repair rather than ignoring it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0117 mean on a Power Stroke?
P0117 means Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Low. The engine coolant temperature sensor signal is below its normal range, which usually points to a short to ground or a failed sensor.
Is P0117 a Power Stroke-specific code?
No. P0117 is a generic OBD-II code defined by SAE J2012, so it means the same thing on any vehicle that sets it. The exact conditions Ford uses to set it on its diesels are in Ford service information.
Mechanics Guide Step-by-step diagnosis
How Do You Diagnose POWERSTROKE-P0117?
Inspect the engine coolant temperature sensor connector and harness.
Check the engine coolant temperature sensor reference voltage, ground and signal against the service specification.
Check for other codes that share the same sensor reference voltage or ground.
Sources 1
This page is built from documented references. Verify against your own service info before repair work.
- SAE J2012Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions (defines P0117 as a generic OBD-II code)
P0117 on Other Platforms
The same code ID appears across other engines, vehicles, and equipment. Diagnostic flow varies by platform — see the matching breakdown:
Explore More
Was this helpful?
Send this to whoever is fixing the truck — your tech, or the person asking what the fault means.