We'll I threw code P1281 and my book says it's my thermostat and that the engine takes to long to heat up. I threw the same code almost a year ago and changed the thermostat, as of yesterday I changed it again though the old one looked fine. Anyway I put the new one in and I still can't clear the code, my OBD II says the code is clear at first then it pops right back up on the computer but the check engine light stays on. Does anyone have any ideas to what it may be if not the thermostat? Thanks

 

could be a faulty temperature sensor. does the temp gauge seem like it displays the correct heat of the engine, or does it seem low, or zero. usually, once cleared, the 1281 is set after about 5 or 10 minutes of cold operation.

edit. i think it also somehow has something to do with ambient air temp. otherwise, all those trucks up in the cold cold north that never warm up would be setting codes, and somehow, they don't do that.

 

Yeah the temp gauge seems to be working correctly, I really have not driven it that far since I changed maybe 3-4 miles around town. Could that be the problem?

 

you might try resetting the pcm (neg batt cable off, turn key to start for 30 sec). then take it on a normal test drive.

 

ok i'll try that, thanks, with code P1281 the thermostat is the only thing it could be right? since the truck is heating up perfectly fine.

 

i think so. p1281 means that the after a sufficient length of time, and not at the north pole, the engine has not achieved some minimum temperature, somewhere around 180-190 or so.

what temperature t-stat did you put in? some people report that they get this code with a 180, and can't get rid of it other than to go back to the stock 195. i've always thought that a hypertech or superchips might have something to do with the pcm better tolerating the 180, but its just a theory.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...1162839AAc441P

 

I put the regular 195 degree thermostat in but i'll drive it around and we'll see what happens. Thanks for your input.