Cooling System Malfunction
Table of contents
P1486 ACURA Possible Causes
- Low engine coolant level
- Insufficient warm uptime
- Leaking or stuck open thermostat
- Faulty engine coolant temperature sensor
- Engine coolant temperature sensor harness is open or shorted
- Engine coolant temperature sensor circuit poor electrical connection
How do I fix code P1486 ACURA?
Check the “Possible Causes” listed above. Visually inspect the related wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and look for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded connector’s pins.
Tech Notes
- If the cooling system is not leaking and the fluid level is OK, replacing the thermostat usually takes care of the problem.
- When troubleshooting a 2000-2001 Accord or 2001-2002 Civic, if the PGM Tester tells you there is a DTC P0128 (Cooling System Malfunction) or P1486 (Cooling System Malfunction) set, it’s really reporting the same thing. DTC P0128 is an SAE or generic Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) while P1486 is a manufacturer-specific DTC. Since these DTCs are similar, the PGM Tester sometimes reports a P0128 when it detects a P1486 or vice versa.
Cost of diagnosing the P1486 ACURA code
The cost of diagnosing the P1486 ACURA code is 1.0 hour of labor. The auto repair labor rates vary by location, your vehicle’s make and model, and even your engine type. Most auto repairs shops charge between $75 and $150 per hour.
Possible Symptoms
- Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)
P1486 ACURA Description
The Engine Coolant Thermistor (ECT) is a 2-wire thermistor. As Engine coolant temperature increases, thermistor resistance & signal voltage decreases. The Engine Control Module (ECM) monitors ECT voltage to help determine injector pulse width, ignition timing, and idle control. The Transmission Control Module (TCM)/ECM uses ECT voltage for shift timing & quality. The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) indicates that the thermostat monitor has not achieved the required engine operating temperature within a specified amount of time after starting the engine.
