P0217 means Engine Coolant Over Temperature Condition. The engine has overheated. The computer may limit power to protect it. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0217 means
The coolant temperature reading feeds many systems: warm-up fueling, ignition timing, idle speed, cooling fan control, transmission shift timing and often the dash gauge. A wrong reading causes symptoms far beyond the cooling system, and a real overheat can damage an engine quickly. Confirm the actual temperature with a scan tool or an infrared thermometer before replacing parts.
P0217 symptoms
- High temperature gauge or overheat warning
- Reduced power
- Steam or the smell of hot coolant
Common causes of P0217
- Low coolant from a leak
- Thermostat stuck closed
- Failed water pump or cooling fan
- Clogged radiator
- Head gasket failure
How to diagnose P0217
- Stop and let the engine cool before opening anything
- Check coolant level and look for leaks
- Check that the fans run and the thermostat opens
- Test for a head gasket leak if coolant disappears
Can you drive with P0217?
No. Stop as soon as it is safe; continued driving can warp the heads and blow the head gasket.
P0217 tips
Many engines cut power or disable cylinders to protect themselves once P0217 sets. After the engine cools, check for milky oil and for bubbles or an exhaust smell in the coolant, which point to a head gasket leak. Never open a hot radiator cap.
Will P0217 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0217 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0128 | Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature) |
| P0117 | Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Low |
| P0118 | Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High |
Guides that help
- coolant temperature sensor
- serpentine belt and tensioner
- oil in coolant
- engine overheating
- coolant leak
- water pump and thermostat symptoms
- signs of a blown head gasket
When it is more than a sensor
Most cooling codes end with a thermostat, sensor, fan or leak repair. If the engine overheated badly enough to fail the head gasket or warp the heads, compare a repair against a replacement on our engines page and read engine replacement cost.
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