Check engine light on after car accident

Preface: rear ended an SUV almost a year ago. Get the code P1116, my car has not leaked post accident. Until writing this, I've not put very much thought into this issue--and I've been thinking it's the radiator... Anyways, there has been no impact on driving or performance. I want the light OFF. It's been almost a year, and I've wanted to get it fixed, but being in school and not working a lot of hours I haven't taken it anywhere. In fact the body has been repaired, and just needs paint, but I want the light off, so that if a real maintenance issues appears I can take care of it.

The light is not on constantly, sometimes it turns itself off for a couple of days and then turns back on again.


The accident was a hit around 10mph, and the frame was damaged, the radiator is a little bent but doesn't leak which led me to believe that was the culprit. The car is getting painted soon, and I would like to care for whatever this issue is when the bumper is off again.

SOS! Below is information on P1116


1. P1116 Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit Stack for Coolant Heat Storage System

a. Coolant Heat Storage Tank

b. Faulty Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor for CHS (Coolant Heat Storage)

c. Low engine coolant level

d. Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor for HST harness is open or shorted

e. Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor for HST electrical circuit poor connection

f. Faulty engine coolant thermostat

i. DESCRIPTION

ii. The coolant heat storage (CHS) tank outlet temperature sensor is used for monitoring coolant temperature in the vicinity of the outlet port of the heat storage tank of the CHS system. The resistance of the sensor increases when the CHS tank outlet temperature is low, and conversely, the resistance decreases when the temperature is high. The changes in resistance are reflected in the voltage that is output by the sensor. The ECM monitors the sensor voltage and uses this value to control CHS system properly.

1. SYMPTOMS

Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)

 

Hi thanks for replying. So in reference to the P1116 code. I need troubleshooting advice on how to diagnose the issue and do it yourself repair it. I am on a limited budget and have done the body work, but would like to clear my codes and keep my car on the road as long as possible. When we paint the car in coming months, we are going to have the bumper off and I assume that the issue area is somewhere around the bumper area where it made impact. I need to know what to look at and what I might need to do.

I have used a diagnostic tool reader to cancel the codes, and they have reappeared. The codes intermittently turn off and then reappear. So I just wonder if it is a simple fix like topping off coolant, or a major repair like replacing some unit on the car. It's 9 years old and has 170k miles on it. I love my car and want to drive it to it's sunset time.

Thanks again!

 

I've cleared codes and it turns on again, mostly staying on. Could it be as simple as topping off the coolant? I can't really tell where the level should be. Also this only began after my fender bender, so it has to be accident related.

 

There are no unusual rattling or sounds that it hasn't made pre-collision.