P0182

What it means

P0182 means the engine control unit has seen the signal voltage from fuel temperature sensor A fall below the expected range, which it reads as an implausibly high fuel temperature. The fault is usually a short to earth in the sensor or its wiring, or a failed sensor. The ECU may then use a default fuel temperature value until the fault is cleared.

Symptoms

• Engine warning light on
• Hard or extended cranking when starting, especially from cold or hot
• Rough idle or hesitation under load
• Poor fuel economy
• Reduced power on some vehicles
• Fuel temperature reading stuck at an extreme high value on a scan tool

Possible causes

• Faulty fuel temperature sensor with internal short or low resistancelikely
• Sensor signal wire chafed and shorted to earthlikely
• Water, fuel or corrosion in the sensor connector causing a low signalpossible
• Sensor integrated into the fuel pump, rail or filter housing has failed (depends on model and engine)possible
• Wiring harness damage or pin damage between the sensor and the ECUpossible
• Faulty engine control unit input circuitrare

How to diagnose

1. Read stored codes and freeze frame data, noting engine temperature and conditions when the fault set, and check for related codes
2. View live fuel temperature data: compare it with ambient temperature on a cold engine, as it should be similar
3. Inspect the sensor, connector and harness for chafing, fuel or water ingress, corrosion and bent or loose pins
4. With the sensor unplugged, check whether the live reading changes to a very low temperature or the fault changes to a circuit high code
5. Measure sensor resistance and compare it with the manufacturer specification at a known temperature
6. Check the sensor signal wire for a short to earth and for continuity back to the ECU, using the wiring diagram for the vehicle
7. Check the reference voltage and earth supply at the sensor connector
8. Where the sensor is part of another assembly, check the manufacturer data for how it is supplied and tested

How to fix

• Replace the fuel temperature sensor if its resistance is out of specification
• Repair or replace damaged wiring that is shorted to earth
• Clean or replace corroded or contaminated connectors and terminals
• Replace the assembly that contains the sensor if it is not supplied separately
• Repair or replace the ECU only after the wiring and sensor are proven good and the manufacturer data confirms the fault
• Clear the code and road test to confirm it does not return

Can I keep driving?

Nearby codes

• P0181GenericFuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance
• P0183GenericFuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit High