What it means
Barometric sensor C below lower plausibility — short to ground. Wiring faults of this kind typically come from chafing, water ingress at connector seals, or pin push-back — a wiggle test on the harness while the code is active often confirms the location.
At a glance
- Usually lights the check-engine light
- Affects emissions; the car can fail an emissions test
How it works
Barometric pressure sensor C supplies a secondary atmospheric pressure signal to the control module for engine load and altitude calculations. This low-circuit code sets when the signal falls below the expected range, commonly because the signal wire is shorted to ground or a damaged connection pulls it low.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Short to ground
- Connector pins corroded - high contact resistance
- Harness chafing through insulation
Symptoms
- Check-engine light may illuminate
- Possible reduced power or hesitation
- Usually no obvious symptoms if the reading remains close to normal
How to diagnose it
- Check freeze-frame and live data for sensor C to confirm its reported pressure is unusually low compared with other pressure readings and conditions.
- Inspect sensor C's connector and harness for chafing, crushed sections, corrosion, or moisture that could pull the signal toward ground.
- Use the wiring diagram to test the signal wire for a short to ground and check the connector terminals for poor contact.
- Check sensor supply and ground circuits against the manufacturer's specifications before deciding whether the sensor itself has failed.
- Repair any wiring or connector fault, then verify sensor C's live reading returns to a plausible value and the code does not reset.
Common fixes
- Repair a signal wire chafed through to ground.
- Clean or replace corroded connector terminals and restore the connector seal.
- Repair damaged sensor C wiring or a loose pin connection.
- Replace sensor C if the signal remains low with confirmed sound wiring and supply.
Can I keep driving?
If the vehicle runs normally and the warning light is steady, a short trip is generally possible, but reduced power or hesitation can make merging and passing less predictable. Stop if the engine stalls or loses substantial power.
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.