P1160
Manifold Temperature Sensor Circuit Short To Ground.
- Volkswagen
- Powertrain
- Manufacturer code
- Medium severity
How this code is built
- P
- SystemPowertrain
- 1
- Defined byThe manufacturer
- 1
- AreaFuel and air metering
- 60
- FaultThe specific fault in that area
What it means
On Volkswagen group vehicles P1160 means the engine control unit has detected a short to ground in the manifold (intake air) temperature sensor circuit. The signal voltage has dropped to or near zero, which the control unit reads as an impossibly high temperature, so it sets the fault and uses a substitute value. The exact sensor location and wiring layout vary by model and engine.
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on
- Hard or extended starting, especially when cold
- Rough idle or hesitation under load
- Reduced power or poor pickup
- Higher fuel consumption
- Occasional black smoke or rich running
Possible causes
- Faulty manifold temperature sensor with an internal shortlikely
- Signal wire chafed and shorted to ground or to the chassislikely
- Water, oil or corrosion in the sensor connector bridging the signal to groundpossible
- Damaged wiring loom near the intake manifold from heat or rubbingpossible
- Combined sensor (for example a pressure and temperature unit) failing internally, on models that use onepossible
- Fault inside the engine control unitrare
How to diagnose
- Read all stored codes and freeze frame data, then note whether the fault is constant or intermittent
- Inspect the sensor, connector and loom for damage, chafing, melting, moisture or corrosion
- With the ignition on, view the live intake air temperature value and compare it with ambient temperature on a cold engine; a very high or fixed reading suggests a short
- Unplug the sensor and watch the live value; if it changes to a default or the fault clears, suspect the sensor
- Measure the sensor resistance and compare it with the manufacturer's temperature table for your model
- With the sensor and control unit disconnected, test the signal wire for continuity to earth and for shorts to other wires using the wiring diagram
- Check the reference voltage and earth feed at the sensor connector
- Wiggle the loom while monitoring live data to find intermittent faults
How to fix
- Replace the manifold temperature sensor, or the combined sensor unit if that is what your model uses
- Repair or replace the shorted or chafed section of wiring and secure it away from heat and sharp edges
- Clean, dry and repair the connector terminals, or replace the connector if corroded
- Replace the damaged loom section following the wiring diagram
- Clear the code after repair and road test to confirm it does not return
Can I keep driving?
Medium severity
The car can usually be driven for a short time as the control unit uses a substitute value, but running and economy may suffer. Get it checked soon to avoid poor running and possible rich-running damage.
Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.