OBD-II fault code

P0AF1: Drive Motor Inverter Temperature Sensor A Circuit Intermittent/Erratic

What it means

The control module detects an intermittent or erratic signal in the drive motor inverter temperature sensor A circuit.

At a glance

  • Usually lights the check-engine light
  • The engine or gearbox may go into limp mode

How it works

Drive motor inverter temperature sensor A reports the temperature of a monitored area in the inverter. The control module watches for a stable signal; this code sets when sensor A's reading drops out or changes erratically, often because of an intermittent connector or ground connection.

Common causes

Most likely first.

  1. Sensor connector not seated
  2. Noisy ground reference
  3. Connector with intermittent contact under vibration

Symptoms

  • EV/hybrid system warning light on
  • Reduced motor power or torque
  • Possible limp mode or vehicle shutdown

How to diagnose it

  1. Review freeze-frame and fault history data, then watch sensor A's live temperature for dropouts while comparing it with other available inverter readings.
  2. With the vehicle powered down as specified by the manufacturer, inspect and reseat sensor A's connector, checking for loose pins, corrosion, moisture, or harness strain.
  3. Inspect sensor A wiring and ground reference for damage or poor connections using the manufacturer's wiring information.
  4. Use the manufacturer's approved method to check whether gentle harness movement causes sensor A's signal to change or drop out.
  5. Test sensor A and its circuit for stable operation against the manufacturer's specification, and check for related inverter or cooling system faults.

Common fixes

  • Reseat and secure sensor A's connector.
  • Repair loose, corroded, or damaged connector terminals and wiring.
  • Repair a poor ground reference affecting sensor A.
  • Replace sensor A if its signal remains erratic with a sound circuit.

Can I keep driving?

Avoid high-load driving while the warning or power limitation comes and goes. A sudden signal dropout can trigger motor power reduction or shutdown, so stop safely if propulsion becomes unreliable.

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.

Codes for the same component