OBD · Cooling

P0217 Engine over-temperature condition

Stop driving

What this code means

P0217 is a generic OBD code shared by all manufacturers since 2001 for petrol and 2004 for diesel. It relates to: cooling. The code tells you what the ECU measured as abnormal, not necessarily which part to replace.

Severity: Stop driving. Do not drive. Carrying on can cause expensive damage or make the car unsafe.

Most common causes

  1. Low coolant#1
  2. Stuck thermostat#2
  3. Cooling fan not working#3
  4. Leaking water pump#4

Cost of related repairs

Independent garageMain dealer
Coolant flush£60 – £155£85 – £265
Thermostat£80 – £280£115 – £470
Water pump£145 – £455£215 – £775
Timing belt kit with water pump£315 – £780£440 – £1,280

How to read this code

An OBD scanner plugged into the 16-pin socket under the steering wheel reads and clears codes. Bluetooth models cost £20 to £40. Clearing a code without fixing the fault is pointless: it comes back.

Related problems

Frequently asked questions

What does code P0217 mean?

P0217: Engine over-temperature condition. P0217 is a generic OBD code shared by all manufacturers since 2001 for petrol and 2004 for diesel. It relates to: cooling. The code tells you what the ECU measured as abnormal, not necessarily which part to replace.

Can I drive with code P0217?

Stop driving. Do not drive. Carrying on can cause expensive damage or make the car unsafe.

How much does it cost to fix P0217?

Coolant flush: £60 – £155, Thermostat: £80 – £280, Water pump: £145 – £455.

How to read this code

An OBD scanner plugged into the 16-pin socket under the steering wheel reads and clears codes. Bluetooth models cost £20 to £40. Clearing a code without fixing the fault is pointless: it comes back.