Fuel and air

P00E5 — Intake Air Temperature / Fuel Temperature Sensor Correlation Fault

Severity: medium Drive with care, to a shop

What P00E5 means

The PCM compares the intake air temperature sensor signal with the fuel temperature sensor signal. After the engine has sat long enough to cool down, both should read close to ambient temperature. If they differ by more than the allowed amount, the PCM sets P00E5. Either sensor or its circuit could be at fault.

Symptoms

  • Check Engine light on
  • Worse fuel economy
  • Hesitation or weak throttle response
  • Rough idle
  • Harder starting, especially when cold

Possible causes

  1. Faulty intake air temperature sensor
  2. Faulty fuel temperature sensor
  3. Wiring or connector problems such as breaks, corrosion or shorts
  4. Poor ground or reference voltage supply to the sensors
  5. PCM fault or software issue (uncommon)

How to diagnose

  1. Scan for all codes and review freeze frame data, looking for other temperature sensor codes
  2. With the engine fully cold, compare the intake air and fuel temperature readings on a scan tool; both should be near ambient
  3. Inspect both sensor connectors and harnesses for damage, moisture and corrosion
  4. Measure each sensor's resistance and compare it with the spec for the current temperature
  5. Check reference voltage and ground at the sensor connectors and test the wires back to the PCM
  6. Look for an open circuit or short to ground on the signal wires
  7. If sensors and wiring are good, check for PCM software updates and the condition of the PCM

Common fixes

  • Replace the intake air temperature sensor
  • Replace the fuel temperature sensor
  • Repair the wiring harness or replace damaged connectors
  • Reflash or repair/replace the PCM if it is confirmed as the cause

Questions and answers

What does P00E5 mean?

The PCM found that the intake air temperature and fuel temperature sensor readings disagree more than they should. The cause may be one of the sensors, the wiring, or rarely the PCM itself.

Can I drive with a P00E5 code?

Usually yes, for a short time. Inaccurate temperature data can hurt fuel economy and engine response, so get it checked soon.

How do I tell which sensor is bad?

Let the engine cool completely and compare both readings on a scan tool with the outside temperature. The one that is clearly off is the suspect; then check its resistance and wiring.

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.