P0184 code meaning
Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Intermittent
Powertrain system Generic code P01xx codes Check engine light
What P0184 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. P0184 covers jumps in the signal: fuel cannot heat up or cool down that fast, so a sudden change points to a loose contact. GM diesels check every new value against an exponentially filtered window around the last good value and set the code when 10 of 15 samples (100 ms each) fall outside; two trips, blocked while a circuit fault is active. GM still writes 'Circuit Intermittent' in 2016 and 2018 – a change to 'Intermittent/Erratic' is not documented. No source was found for gasoline engines.
P0184 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 P0184
- Check engine light on
- Fuel temperature in scan data jumps
- Usually no change in driving
Common causes of P0184
- Most likelyLoose contact or weak terminal tension in the connector
- Most likelyWire break or chafing from vibration
- PossibleSensor with internal dropouts
- PossibleCorrosion from moisture
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 P0184 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. |
| 84 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0184 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 P0184
What does P0184 mean?
P0184 means "Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Intermittent". 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 P0184?
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 P0184 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P0184 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 P0184 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 2.5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0184 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.