P0182 code meaning
Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Low
Powertrain system Generic code P01xx codes Check engine light
What P0182 means
Fuel temperature sensor A is an NTC thermistor: the hotter the fuel, the lower its resistance and signal voltage. On diesels it sits in the injection pump, rail or return line; on Ford gasoline direct-injection engines it is built into the rail pressure sensor, and GM uses digital rail temperature sensors on its direct-injection engines. P0182 means the signal is below its valid range – with an NTC that points to a short to ground or an internally shorted sensor, and the control module would read about 150 °C. Limits: Ford diesel below 0.095 V, Ford gasoline below 0.12 V for 5 s, GM diesel below 50 Ω (two trips), GM 6.6 litre below 0.60 V for 5 s, Saab EDC16 below 0.23 V for 0.6 s with a substitute value of 50 °C. Genuinely hot fuel within the valid range is P0168 instead.
P0182 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyMedium
- Typical labor0.5 to 2.5 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P0182
- Check engine light on
- Fuel temperature in scan data implausibly high (about 150 °C)
- Possibly cold-start problems
Common causes of P0182
- Most likelySignal wire shorted to ground (chafing)
- Most likelySensor shorted internally
- PossibleMoisture or corrosion in the connector
- Less likelyEngine control module
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Fuel temperature sensor aSensor wiring
What each part of P0182 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 1 | Area: fuel and air metering. |
| 82 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0182 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P0182
What does P0182 mean?
P0182 means "Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Low". Fuel temperature sensor A is an NTC thermistor: the hotter the fuel, the lower its resistance and signal voltage. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0182?
Usually yes, for a short time, if the check engine light is steady and the car drives normally. If the light flashes or the car runs badly, stop and have it checked.
Will P0182 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P0182 is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P0182 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 2.5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0182 clear itself after the repair?
After the repair the car has to complete a drive cycle (a mix of city and highway driving) before the test runs again. Until then the readiness monitor shows "not ready", which can fail an inspection.