What it means
Charge air cooler temperature sensor signal voltage on bank 1 above expected range. Typically open circuit or short to power.
At a glance
- Usually lights the check-engine light
- Affects emissions; the car can fail an emissions test
How it works
The bank 1 charge air cooler temperature sensor reports the temperature of the compressed intake air after it passes through the cooler. The control module checks the sensor signal, and this code sets when that signal is higher than the expected electrical range, as can happen with an open signal wire or a short to power.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Signal wire open
- Connector pins corroded - high contact resistance
- Supply wire pinched against B+ source
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Reduced engine performance or boost
- Poor fuel economy
How to diagnose it
- Record freeze-frame data and compare the bank 1 charge-air temperature reading with ambient and other intake temperature readings to see whether it is implausibly high.
- Inspect the bank 1 sensor connector and harness for corrosion, loose pins, damaged insulation, or a wire pinched against a power source.
- Check the sensor reference, ground, and signal circuits at the connector against the manufacturer's wiring information.
- Measure the signal with the sensor connected and disconnected as specified by the manufacturer to distinguish a sensor fault from a harness fault.
- If the signal remains high with the sensor disconnected, trace the signal wire for an open or short to power before considering a control-module fault.
Common fixes
- Repair chafed or pinched bank 1 sensor wiring that is shorting to power.
- Clean or repair corroded or loose terminals at the bank 1 sensor connector.
- Repair an open in the bank 1 sensor signal wire.
- Replace the bank 1 charge air cooler temperature sensor if its signal is out of specification.
- Repair the control-module circuit only after the sensor and wiring have been ruled out.
Can I keep driving?
Gentle, short trips may be possible if the engine runs normally, but avoid heavy acceleration or towing because the module may limit boost or use an inaccurate temperature reading. Stop if power loss becomes severe or the engine runs abnormally.
A code shows where the control module detected a fault, not always which part failed. Check the causes in order and confirm with a test before replacing parts. Have several codes? Check them together
This is a generic code: it means the same on every make. The car’s maker may add more detail in its own service information.