Code P0517, ECT sensor replacement

Tiny
AUTUMN HUNTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 DODGE DURANGO
  • 4.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 163,000 MILES
My car began stalling and lagging a few months back. I tried plugs, treatments, battery, etc, and finally a month ago it stalled mid drive and I had to pull over. Steering wheel became hard to turn, brakes hard to engage and it would hardly accelerate.
I coded it and got MAP sensor. I looked and it was indeed bad.
I recode it as that made no change in function.
Second code I got back was ECT sensor. I got that sensor out and it was very corroded. After that, turned it on and no change and now I'm pulling Code P0517, Battery temperature sensor.
I could not find any in depth videos for my specific vehicle. Did I need to drain the radiator prior to the temperature sensor replacement?
I'm lost now. I keep pulling codes but no change.
Thursday, June 24th, 2021 AT 2:19 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

When the vehicle is running, are there any strange odors, sounds, or smoke from the exhaust? What exactly is it doing at this point?

As far as the battery temp sensor, it is located under the battery. I attached information on the code, testing related to the code, and how to remove and replace it if you determine it's bad.

Here is a link you may find helpful when testing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Let me know as much as you can about what is happening. Also, when you lost power steering and power brakes, was the engine running, almost stalling, or did it already stall?

Let me know if this helps.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Thursday, June 24th, 2021 AT 9:54 PM
Tiny
AUTUMN HUNTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
When it starts RPM is normal but very quickly it drops below 1 and car starts to stall and vibrate, then shuts off.
Yes, exhaust is smoking and smells like gasoline, best way to describe smell.
The exhaust smoke "stalls with the engine". Small "puffs" of smoke coming out.
When I lost power steering and brakes I was at a red light and when I let of the gas to go it was dragging to accelerate. I tried to turn the wheel to get across the lane and realized it was extremely hard to turn or brake.
I didn't realize that you are supposed to drain the radiator prior to the temperature sensor replacement, is that correct?
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Friday, June 25th, 2021 AT 10:01 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

As far as draining the radiator, you only need to get it below the level of the sensor. The reason is to prevent coolant from leaking out when the sensor is removed. If you didn't do it that way, don't worry. It didn't hurt anything.

As far as the running issue, if the smoke is dark gray or black, that indicates there is too much fuel getting to the engine. The ECT can cause that by sending a false signal to the computer. By any chance, do you have access to a live data scan tool? If you do, I want you to check the ECT signal to confirm it is showing approx ambient temperature. Do this cold because that way the coolant should be air temp.

If that checks good, we need to check fuel pressure. If it is too high, that can cause a rich fuel mixture as well. Here is a link that shows how that is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

If the pressure is within spec, then the next thing to check would be the catalytic converter to see if it is plugged. We will cross that bridge when we get to it. Hopefully, we won't need to.

If it is possible, record it starting and the smoke you see from the exhaust. Upload it for me to see.

Take care and I'll watch for your reply.

Joe

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Friday, June 25th, 2021 AT 7:58 PM

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