P00EC
Intake Air Temperature Sensor 3 Circuit Intermittent/Erratic Bank 1.
- Generic
- Powertrain
- Generic code
- Low severity
How this code is built
- P
- SystemPowertrain
- 0
- Defined bySAE, the same on every car
- 0
- AreaFuel and air metering, auxiliary emission controls
- EC
- FaultThe specific fault in that area
What it means
P00EC means the engine control unit has detected an intermittent or erratic signal from intake air temperature sensor 3 on bank 1. The reading jumped, dropped out or changed implausibly quickly compared with what the circuit should produce. The position of sensor 3 depends on the engine, so check the model-specific layout before testing.
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on
- Hesitation or uneven running at times
- Rough or unstable idle
- Hard starting, especially when hot or cold
- Reduced performance or poorer fuel economy
- Fault appearing and disappearing
Possible causes
- Loose, corroded or damaged connector at intake air temperature sensor 3likely
- Chafed, broken or intermittently open wiring between the sensor and control unitlikely
- Faulty intake air temperature sensor 3 giving erratic readingslikely
- Wiring short to ground, to supply or to another circuit caused by vibration or heatpossible
- Water or oil contamination in the sensor or connectorpossible
- Fault in the control unit or its sensor reference or ground supplyrare
How to diagnose
- Read all stored and pending codes and note freeze frame data such as engine temperature, load and speed when the fault set.
- Find out where intake air temperature sensor 3 is fitted on this engine using model-specific information, as the location and layout vary.
- Inspect the sensor, connector and wiring for damage, rubbing, heat damage, corrosion, moisture or poor pin tension.
- Watch the live intake air temperature 3 reading while gently wiggling the connector and harness, looking for spikes or dropouts.
- Compare the reading with other intake air temperature sensors and with ambient temperature on a cold engine.
- Check the sensor resistance against the manufacturer's temperature specification, then test with gentle heating if the procedure allows.
- With the connector unplugged, test the circuit for continuity, shorts, reference voltage and ground against the wiring diagram.
- Check the control unit supply and grounds, and look for any relevant software updates before suspecting the control unit.
How to fix
- Clean, secure or repair the connector terminals, or replace the connector if the terminals are damaged.
- Repair or replace damaged wiring, and secure the harness so it cannot chafe or move.
- Replace intake air temperature sensor 3 if it reads erratically or is out of specification.
- Dry out and fix any source of water or oil ingress, then replace contaminated parts.
- Repair control unit supply or ground faults, and only consider the control unit after all other causes are ruled out.
Can I keep driving?
Low severity
The car can usually be driven carefully while you arrange a repair, as the control unit will use a default value. If it runs badly, hesitates or stalls, have it checked soon.
Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.