P0180 Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Malfunction Trouble Code

P0180 Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Malfunction

OBD-II Trouble Code Technical Description

Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Malfunction

What does that mean?

This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a generic powertrain code, which means that it applies to OBD-II equipped vehicles (Nissan, Ford, Fiat, Chevrolet, Mercedes, Dodge, etc.). Although generic, the specific repair steps may vary depending on make/model.

If your OBD II equipped vehicle has stored a code P0180; it simply means that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected a voltage signal from the fuel temperature sensor/flex fuel sensor or circuit "A" that is not within a programmed range. "A" refers to an area of circuitry as opposed to a particular circuit or component.

 

The fuel temperature sensor is typically integrated into a single housing (along with the flex fuel sensor) known as a fuel composition sensor. It is actually a small computerized device designed to provide the PCM with an accurate fuel composition and fuel temperature reading.

Fuel which passes through the inline sensor is monitored to determine what degree of ethanol, water, and other contaminants is present. The fuel composition sensor calculates fuel composition and fuel temperature and inputs an electrical signal to the PCM that reflects not only what contaminants are present but also to what degree the fuel has been contaminated. The contamination is measured according to the percentage of contaminants to fuel and is received by the PCM as a square waveform of voltage. The waveform pattern varies in frequency depending upon the degree of contaminants present in the fuel; the closer the waveform frequency, the higher the degree of fuel contamination. This composes the vertical portion of the waveform. The fuel composition sensor monitors the amount of ethanol present in the fuel separately from other contaminants. Flex fuel vehicles are designed to function efficiently when fuel composition levels are as high as eighty-five-percent ethanol.

The horizontal portion of the waveform, or the pulse width, indicates fuel temperature. The greater the pulse width speed, the higher the temperature of the fuel passing through the fuel composition sensor. Pulse width modulation varies (on most applications) between one and five-milliseconds (hundredths-of-a-second).

If the PCM detects an input signal from the fuel composition sensor that indicates that the fuel temperature is not within a programmed range, or if the fuel temperature varies from ambient temperature (intake air temperature on some models) by a greater degree than expected, a P0180 code will be stored and a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) may be illuminated. Some models may require multiple ignition cycles (with a failure) for MIL illumination.

Photo of different fuel temperature sensors:

Code Severity & Symptoms

Fuel temperature is monitored by the PCM to calculate fuel delivery strategy in flex fuel vehicles so a code P0180 should be treated as severe.

Symptoms of this code may include:

There will likely be no symptoms from the conditions for a P0180 being stored Other fuel composition codes may be present MIL illumination will eventually occur

Causes

Potential causes for this code to set are:

Defective fuel temperature/consumption sensor "A" A bad ambient temperature sensor Faulty intake air temperature sensor Open, shorted, or damaged wiring or connectors PCM or a PCM programing error

Diagnostic and Repair Procedures

A good starting point is always to check for technical service bulletins (TSB) for your particular vehicle. Your issue may be a known issue with a known fix put out by the manufacturer and can save you time and money during diagnosis.

To diagnose a code P0180, I would typically gain access to a diagnostic sc

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