Cooling

P00DE — Charge Air Cooler Coolant Temperature Sensor A Circuit Malfunction

Severity: medium Drive with care, to a shop

What P00DE means

The engine control module monitors sensor A, which measures coolant temperature in the charge air cooler (intercooler) loop. If the signal voltage is out of range or doesn't make sense, it sets a circuit fault. Without a reliable reading, the module can't properly manage boost and the cooler circuit.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Reduced power and sluggish acceleration
  • Engine in limp mode with limited output
  • Rough idle
  • Possible overheated charge air and reduced turbo efficiency
  • Cooler circuit pump or fan running constantly or not at all

Possible causes

  1. Failed charge air cooler coolant temperature sensor
  2. Broken, shorted or chafed wiring
  3. Corroded or loose sensor connector
  4. Signal wire shorted to ground or power
  5. Low coolant level or air trapped in the intercooler loop
  6. ECM fault (rare)

How to diagnose

  1. Read codes and freeze frame data, clear the code and see if it returns
  2. Inspect the sensor, connector and harness for damage, moisture, corrosion and chafing
  3. Check coolant level and condition in the intercooler loop and make sure there is no trapped air
  4. Compare the scan tool reading with actual temperature on a cold engine
  5. Measure sensor resistance and compare it to the spec for that vehicle
  6. Check the 5 V reference and ground at the sensor connector
  7. Test the wiring to the ECM for opens and shorts
  8. Verify the intercooler circuit pump is working

Common fixes

  • Replace the charge air cooler coolant temperature sensor
  • Repair the wiring or replace the connector
  • Top up or replace coolant and bleed the loop
  • Replace the pump or intercooler if confirmed faulty
  • Reflash or replace the ECM only after ruling out everything else

Questions and answers

What does code P00DE mean?

It's an electrical circuit fault in sensor A, which reads coolant temperature in the charge air cooling loop. The control module sees a signal outside the expected range or no signal at all.

Can I drive with P00DE?

Briefly and gently, yes, but power may be limited. Prolonged driving with hot charge air raises the risk of knock, so don't put off diagnosis.

What most often causes P00DE?

Most often it's the sensor itself or its wiring and connector. Inspect the connector and harness and check the loop's coolant level first, then replace the sensor.

This is general information about the code. The meaning can differ between makes and models: a scan tool and the repair manual for your car will show the exact cause.