Open circuit in the sensor signal or ground wire, often from damaged wiring or a corroded connector; Faulty fuel temperature sensor with internal open circuit; Loose, damaged or contaminated sensor connector terminals; Signal wire shorted to a voltage supply or to another circuit; Poor or broken sensor ground connection; Fault inside the engine control unit or the module that carries the sensor signal.

P0183

Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit High.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
Low severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
0: Defined bySAE, the same on every car
1: AreaFuel and air metering
83: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P0183 means the engine control unit has seen a signal from fuel temperature sensor A that is higher than expected, which equals a very low temperature reading. The sensor is a thermistor that is fed a reference voltage, so a voltage near the top of its range points to an open circuit, a short to voltage or a failed sensor. The control unit uses this reading to adjust fuel delivery, so the fault is logged when the signal stays out of range.

Symptoms

Engine management light on
Hard or extended cranking when starting, particularly when hot
Rough idle or hesitation
Poor fuel economy
Slight loss of power or poor driveability
Fuel temperature reading stuck at an extreme low value on a scan tool

Possible causes

Open circuit in the sensor signal or ground wire, often from damaged wiring or a corroded connectorlikely
Faulty fuel temperature sensor with internal open circuitlikely
Loose, damaged or contaminated sensor connector terminalslikely
Signal wire shorted to a voltage supply or to another circuitpossible
Poor or broken sensor ground connectionpossible
Fault inside the engine control unit or the module that carries the sensor signalrare

How to diagnose

Read the stored codes and freeze frame data, and note whether other sensor circuit or fuel system codes are present.
Compare the live fuel temperature reading with the actual fuel temperature and the other temperature readings on a cold engine; a stuck extreme low reading suggests an open circuit.
Inspect the sensor, its connector and the wiring for damage, chafing, heat damage, corrosion, fuel contamination and bent or pushed-back terminals.
With the sensor unplugged, check the live reading and the reference voltage at the harness, following the manufacturer's wiring diagram, as location and layout depend on the model and engine.
Test the signal and ground wires for continuity, and for shorts to voltage or ground, with the ignition off and the control unit disconnected where specified.
Measure the sensor resistance and compare it with the manufacturer's temperature specification.
Check the sensor ground and the control unit supply and ground connections if the wiring tests are good.
Clear the code and road test, then recheck the live data to confirm the fault does not return.

How to fix

Repair or replace damaged wiring, and clean or renew faulty connector terminals.
Replace the fuel temperature sensor if its resistance is out of specification or it is open circuit.
Repair any short to voltage in the signal circuit.
Restore a poor or open sensor ground connection.
Only if all wiring and sensor tests pass, diagnose the control unit further and repair or replace it as the manufacturer advises.

Can I keep driving?

Low severity

The car can usually be driven, but book it in soon as starting and fuel control may be affected. If it starts badly or runs poorly, have it checked sooner.

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