What it means
The charge air cooler coolant temperature sensor A circuit signal is below the expected range. This code does not refer to the engine coolant temperature sensor.
At a glance
- Usually lights the check-engine light
- Affects emissions; the car can fail an emissions test
How it works
In a water-cooled charge air cooler, sensor A measures the temperature of coolant serving the cooler that removes heat from compressed intake air. The control module monitors its signal and sets P00E0 when the signal is below the expected electrical range, which can result from a short to ground or a sensor or wiring fault; it is not the engine coolant temperature sensor.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Signal wire shorted to ground
- Connector pins corroded - high contact resistance
- Harness chafing through insulation
Symptoms
- Check-engine light on
- Reduced engine performance or power
- Poor fuel economy
How to diagnose it
- Check freeze-frame data and live sensor A readings; a reading pinned at an extreme or implausible when the engine is cold supports a low-signal fault.
- Inspect sensor A's connector and harness for chafing, damaged insulation, corrosion, or coolant contamination.
- Check for a signal wire short to ground and poor connector contact using the manufacturer's wiring information.
- Test sensor A and its circuit against the manufacturer's specification to determine whether the sensor or harness is pulling the signal low.
- After repairing the electrical fault, confirm the live temperature reading responds plausibly as the charge air cooler coolant warms.
Common fixes
- Repair a sensor A signal wire shorted to ground or chafed through to ground.
- Clean and secure corroded or loose connector contacts.
- Replace charge air cooler coolant temperature sensor A if it fails the manufacturer's test.
Can I keep driving?
Drive gently and avoid heavy boost if power is reduced, because the module may limit performance when it cannot trust the charge air cooler temperature input. Stop if the engine overheats or severe power loss develops; this code does not identify the engine coolant temperature sensor.
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.