P0073 A high ambient temperature sensor circuit

DTC P0073 - OBD-II Data Sheet

Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit High Signal

What does trouble code P0073 mean?

This Generic Transmission / Engine DTC usually applies to all OBDII equipped engines, but is more common in some Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, Mazda, Mitsubishi and VW vehicles.

The ambient air temperature (AAT) sensor converts the ambient temperature into an electrical signal to the powertrain control module (PCM). This input is used to change the operation of the air conditioning system and display the outdoor temperature.

PCM gets this input and possibly two more; Intake air temperature (IAT) and engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor. The PCM checks the AAT sensor voltage and compares it to the IAT / ECT sensor reading when the ignition is first turned on after a long cool-down period. This code is set if these inputs differ too much. It also checks the voltage signals from these sensors to determine if they are correct when the engine is fully warmed up. This code is usually set due to electrical problems.

Troubleshooting steps may vary depending on manufacturer, AAT sensor type, and wire colors.

Symptoms

The most common symptom you may notice is that your air conditioner or heating may not be working properly. You may find that you need to change the temperature further in the direction you want than you normally have done in the past, or that you find it difficult to reach your desired temperature. Indicator engine checks usually does not light up, but if you have another faulty indicator, you may see this indicator light up instead. Outdoor temperature readings may also be inaccurate.

Symptoms may include:

• Fault indicator light is on
• The air conditioner may not work properly
• The instrument cluster may not read the outside temperature accurately
• Top console may not read ambient temperature accurately

Causes of the P0073 code

Usually this issue is due to a problem with the sensor and its connection to your PCM (Powertrain Control Module) or ECM (Engine Control Module). This may indicate that the sensor itself is damaged or that part of the wiring connecting the sensor to the PCM/ECM is damaged. In very rare cases, there may be a problem with the PCM/ECM, but in these cases, you will usually get other DTCs than just P0073.

Possible causes of DTC P0073 may include:

• Open in the signal circuit to the AAT sensor
• Short circuit on voltage in the signal circuit of the AAT sensor
• Defective AAT sensor
• Failed PCM – Unlikely

Possible solutions

A good starting point is always to check the Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) for your particular vehicle. Your problem may be a known issue with a known manufacturer-released fix and could save you time and money while troubleshooting.

Then find the AAT sensor on your specific vehicle. This sensor is usually located in front of the radiator behind the grille or in the front bumper area. Once detected, visually inspect the connectors and wiring. Look for scratches, scuffs, exposed wires, burn marks, or molten plastic. Disconnect the connectors and carefully inspect the terminals (metal parts) inside the connectors. See if they look burnt or have a green tint indicating corrosion. If you need to clean the terminals, use an electrical contact cleaner and a plastic bristle brush. Allow to dry and apply electrical grease where the terminals touch.

The most common fault is connections, with a faulty sensor coming in second place due to adverse environmental conditions.

When checking the connections, you can check the sensor using a digital volt ohm meter (DVOM). Ignition OFF, disconnect the sensor and connect the red (positive) DVOM terminal to one terminal on the sensor and the black (negative) DVOM terminal to the other terminal. Determine the temperature of the sensor (what is the temperature outside) by the resistance according to the table. This is the ohm resistance that your DVOM should display. Either 0 ohms or infinite resistance (usually indicated by the letters OL) indicates a faulty sensor.

If you have a scan tool, clear the diagnostic trouble codes from memory and see if the code returns. If this is not the case, then there is most likely a connection problem.

If the P0073 code does return, we will need to test the AAT sensor and associated circuits. Usually there are 2 wires on the AAT sensor. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness at the AAT sensor. Switch on the ignition. With a scan tool accessing the PCM data (assuming it is a module receiving AAT sensor input; the module receiving AAT sensor input could be the air conditioning control module, universal electronic module, or some other module towards the front vehicle that can send AAT sensor data over the bus network), read the temperature or voltage of the AAT sensor. It should show 5 volts or something other than the ambient temperature (very low temperature) in degrees. Next, turn off the ignition, connect a jumper wire to the two terminals inside the harness connector going to the AAT sensor, then turn the ignition on. It should read about 0 volts or something other than the ambient temperature (very high temperature) in degrees. If there is no 5 volt on the sensor or you see no change, repair the wiring from the PCM to the sensor, or possibly a faulty PCM.

If all previous tests pass and you continue to receive P0073, it will most likely indicate a failed AAT sensor, although the failed control module cannot be ruled out until the AAT sensor is replaced. If you are unsure, seek help from a qualified automotive diagnostician. To install correctly, the PCM must be programmed or calibrated for the vehicle.

How serious is the P0073 code?

Code P0073 is one of the least serious diagnostic codes you can get. While this can definitely be annoying, especially if the temperature outside is particularly difficult to handle, it's usually not very serious. However, you should still contact an expert to see if you can fix the problem, as in general the goal for most people is to keep your car in good working order.

Can I still drive with code P0073?

You can almost always drive with a P0073 code if that's the only code your engine is throwing out. However, it may be a good idea to check for any other driving problems as well as any engine check anomalies. If code P0073 is related to a problem with the PCM or ECM, which is rare but possible, you may need to get the car to an expert faster than if it was just this code. As a rule, passing at least an inspection of your car is an important part of making sure that you can continue driving safely.

How hard is it to check code P0073?

Again, verification is usually very simple; you can usually tell if one of these sensors is broken just by looking at it. The problem only occurs when your sensors look ok but you still have one of those code issues. In this case, you should seek the help of a specialist, especially if you are a beginner without much experience in automotive matters.

CODE P0073 AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH DODGE JEEP CHRYSLER

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