newbe with question about the thermostat

[n4yek]

Hello all,
First let me apologize if this is the incorrect forum for this post.
My question is to the thermostat, with everything i read saying it is an electronic thermostat controlled by the computer.
I recently had to have this replaced because of the engine light coming on and code P0597 being set in the computer.
I was surprised of a $100 price tag just for the part.
After having this done, i asked for the old part back and was given it after they finished with the repair.
Well, i decided to look at this part and it looked like a normal thermostat that was made into the housing.
I decided to test it, using a heat source, the thermostat opened. When it cooled off, it closed.
Tried it again, heated it up and it opened, when it cooled it closed.
So here is my question, why are they saying this is electronically controlled?
It operates the same way a normal wax thermostat works, in fact when i dissembled the thermostat and heated it up, the wax poured out of it.

Are they looking at the engine temp at this point? That's the only thing I can see what the computer could be doing here.
Again, what is electronically controlled about it except it is hooked to the computer.

Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Danny

ps: i have done searches in the forum on this subject and could not find what I am looking for.
engine 1.8L automatic

 

[$ub$onic]

There is a heater element in the stat.

It looks like that failed causing the cel.

 

[n4yek]

There is a heater element in the stat.

It looks like that failed causing the cel.

OK and thanks for the quick response, what is the heater element for?

 

[$ub$onic]

It will open the stat before It reaches operating temp to control the temp.

 

[n4yek]

Why would Chevy do that? That's what the thermostat is there for in the first place. The engine light turned on when I was in the middle of no where.
Continued driving until I got to the next town, about 50 miles, where I had O'Reilly's check the computer code.

All in all, it's a good thing that the thermostat isn't 100% controlled by the computer.
Basically they put in a high temp thermostat so it will still open just in case the thermostat heater quits working.
Talk about un-needed technology....I just love engineers.

 

[$ub$onic]

It's kinda neat when it's actually working right because with a tune your operating temp goes from 225 to 200. So you can basically make it any temp you want.

But I agree, it's slightly overkill.

The stat fully opens at 240 something unassisted. It will start to open at 217 when assisted by the heater.