Drivable short-term, but fix now to avoid damage.
This code appears when the coolant temperature sensor signal reads too high, which the computer interprets as a cold engine even after it has warmed up. Because the ECU may not command the cooling fans correctly and keeps the mixture rich, this fault can lead to actual overheating. It usually stems from a bad sensor, an open circuit, or a wiring problem.
$100 – $350
Varies by vehicle and root cause.
Only if you must, and watch the temperature gauge closely. The cooling fans may not run correctly, so the engine can overheat, which can cause expensive damage. Get it fixed quickly.
Usually $100 to $350. The sensor is cheap, but diagnosing and repairing wiring or a connector, plus labor, raises the total.
It can be. Because it may stop the cooling fans from running and keep the engine running rich, there's a real overheating risk, so treat it as a high priority.
The sensor falsely reports a cold engine, so the computer may not turn on the cooling fans. Without the fans, the engine can overheat, especially in slow traffic or hot weather.