Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Low

What it means

The engine computer has seen the fuel temperature sensor signal voltage drop below the minimum allowed. In most designs a low voltage is read as a very high fuel temperature, and it is usually caused by the signal wire shorting to ground or a short inside the sensor, so the computer replaces the reading with a default value.

Related codes: P0180P0181P0183P0184P0192

Symptoms4

• Check engine light on.
• Implausibly high fuel temperature on the scan tool.
• Slightly hard starting or changed performance on some vehicles.
• Sometimes no clear symptoms.

Possible causes4

• Signal wire shorted to ground through damaged insulation.
• Internal short in the fuel temperature sensor.
• Water or fuel inside the connector bridging its terminals.
• Engine computer fault (rare).

How to diagnose4

1. Watch the fuel temperature on a scan tool; a very high reading on a cold engine confirms the low voltage.
2. Unplug the connector; if the reading switches to very cold, the short is most likely inside the sensor.
3. If the reading stays the same after unplugging, check the signal wire for a short to ground.
4. Inspect the connector for moisture or signs of fuel.

How to fix4

1. Clean and dry the connector, and fix whatever let fuel or water in.
2. Repair the wire shorted to ground.
3. Replace the fuel temperature sensor if it is shorted internally.
4. Clear the codes and confirm the reading makes sense.

Repair cost

In Saudi riyals; the highlighted part is the expected range for this fault.

A wiring repair or connector cleaning keeps the cost low; a new sensor raises it, more so if it is combined with another part.

Prices are rough estimates for common cars at independent workshops and vary with the car and the source of the part.
Prices last updated: September 2026

Frequently asked questions