Faulty charge air cooler coolant temperature sensor (internal open circuit); Damaged, corroded or loose sensor connector pins; Open circuit or high resistance in the signal or ground wire; Signal wire shorted to a voltage supply; Low coolant level or air in the low-temperature cooling circuit leaving the sensor reading wrongly; Fault in the engine control unit sensor supply or input circuit; Outdated control unit software where the manufacturer has issued a known fix for this code.

P00E1

Charge Air Cooler Coolant Temperature Sensor A Circuit High.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
Medium severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
0: Defined bySAE, the same on every car
0: AreaFuel and air metering, auxiliary emission controls
E1: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P00E1 means the engine control unit has seen the signal from the charge air cooler coolant temperature sensor 'A' go higher than expected. On a typical negative-temperature-coefficient sensor, a high voltage reads as an extremely cold coolant temperature, which is often not plausible. Common triggers are an open circuit, a poor connection, a short to voltage or a faulty sensor. This applies to engines with a liquid-cooled charge air cooler, and the sensor location and 'A' designation vary by model and engine.

Symptoms

Engine management light on
Reduced power or limp mode on some vehicles
Cooling fan or charge air cooler pump running constantly or behaving oddly
Poor performance or hesitation under boost
Higher intake air temperatures or knock-related power reduction
Possible extra stored codes for the charge air cooler pump or intake air temperature

Possible causes

Faulty charge air cooler coolant temperature sensor (internal open circuit)likely
Damaged, corroded or loose sensor connector pinslikely
Open circuit or high resistance in the signal or ground wirelikely
Signal wire shorted to a voltage supplypossible
Low coolant level or air in the low-temperature cooling circuit leaving the sensor reading wronglypossible
Fault in the engine control unit sensor supply or input circuitrare
Outdated control unit software where the manufacturer has issued a known fix for this coderare

How to diagnose

Read all stored codes and freeze frame data, noting coolant, intake air and ambient temperatures when the code set, and check for related pump or temperature codes.
Check the coolant level in the charge air cooler circuit (it may be a separate expansion tank on some models) and look for leaks.
Inspect the sensor, its connector and the wiring for damage, corrosion, water ingress, chafing and pin tension.
With a scan tool, view live data for the sensor. A reading stuck at the extreme cold end that does not change with a warm engine suggests an open circuit or fault.
Unplug the sensor and measure its resistance against the manufacturer's temperature table, then compare with the live reading.
Check the reference voltage and ground at the connector with the ignition on, using the wiring diagram for that model.
Test the signal wire for continuity back to the control unit and for shorts to voltage or ground.
If the wiring and sensor test good, check the control unit connectors and consult technical bulletins for the specific model.

How to fix

Replace the charge air cooler coolant temperature sensor if its resistance is out of specification or it is open circuit.
Repair or replace the damaged connector terminals or wiring, and seal against moisture.
Repair any short to voltage in the signal wire.
Top up and bleed the charge air cooler cooling circuit using the correct coolant and procedure, after fixing any leak.
Update the control unit software only where the manufacturer lists it as a fix for this fault, or repair the control unit if testing proves it faulty.

Can I keep driving?

Medium severity

The car can usually be driven for a short time, but the control unit may reduce power to protect the engine, and a real cooling fault could cause overheating of the intake charge. Have it checked soon, and stop if the temperature warning shows or power drops sharply.

Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.