I replaced thermostat last week to hopefully cure my cel code p1281. After install I reset the ecu and now the car barely climbs last the 135 degree mark. I bought the thermostat from a local pep boys and I've read it's possible for it to fail out of the box. Cel came back on with the same code again. Any suggestions?

 

What was the temperature reading before you replaced the thermostat? Did you replace it with a 195 degree thermostat? You can test the thermostat by putting it in a pan of hot water on your stove and use a thermometer in the water to measure its temperature and watch when it opens and at what temperature it opens or use one of those laser temperature guns to check the temperature while the truck is running.


If you bought the stat from Pep Boys, did you opt for the Stant SuperStat? If not, I'd be sure to get one of those, as that is the premium stat with a lower failure rate.

 

Sounds like it's stuck open.

 

I'm sorry I got it from oreillys not pep boys. I bought the cheapest one not knowing what degree it was. I guess it's time to take it out again...what a pita