P007C

Charge Air Cooler Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Bank 1

P007C is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Charge Air Cooler Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Bank 1. It is logged by the engine control unit when the powertrain monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.

Code
P007C
Group
Powertrain
System
Powertrain
Severity
Warning (MIL on)
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What P007C means

P007C is stored when the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) detects that the voltage from the Bank 1 Charge Air Cooler Temperature (CACT) sensor signal circuit is below its calibrated minimum threshold. The CACT sensor is a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor: as temperature rises, resistance falls, causing the signal voltage on the PCM's 5-volt reference circuit to drop. P007C therefore corresponds to an abnormally low voltage — which electrically can mean either a genuine very high temperature reading, a short to ground in the signal wire, a loss of the 5-volt reference from the PCM, or a failed sensor with very low internal resistance. In practice, a wiring short to ground or a failed sensor is the most common cause rather than actual extreme charge air temperatures, because turbocharged engines are designed to keep charge air temperatures well within the sensor's detection range under normal conditions. When P007C is active, the PCM typically substitutes a fixed default temperature value for charge air cooling calculations, which can cause over-fuelling or under-fuelling, inhibit DPF regeneration on diesel vehicles, and reduce boost management accuracy. The code may be intermittent if caused by a connector that makes and breaks contact with vibration.

Common causes

Most-frequently reported root causes when P007C is logged.

  • 1
    CACT sensor failed with internal resistance that is too low (shorted thermistor element)
  • 2
    Short to ground in the CACT sensor signal wire between the sensor connector and PCM
  • 3
    Loss of the PCM 5-volt reference supply voltage due to a wiring fault or blown reference circuit protection
  • 4
    Corroded or moisture-contaminated sensor connector creating a low-resistance leakage path
  • 5
    Damaged wiring insulation allowing the signal wire to contact the vehicle chassis or engine block
  • 6
    Aftermarket intake or intercooler piping modification disturbing the sensor mounting or wiring routing
  • 7
    PCM internal fault affecting the CACT sensor input channel (rare)

Symptoms drivers notice

Check Engine light (MIL) illuminated
Reduced engine power or conservative fuelling due to PCM defaulting to a substitute temperature value
DPF regeneration inhibited on diesel vehicles
Possible elevated exhaust smoke if substitute fuel trim deviates significantly
Companion code P007B if the fault is intermittent and sometimes falls in range/performance territory
Scan tool shows CACT temperature reading pegged at minimum value or an implausibly low temperature

How to diagnose P007C

A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.

  1. 1
    Connect a scan tool and review live CACT sensor data — a reading pegged at the minimum temperature limit (e.g. -40 °C or 0 °C) with the engine warm strongly indicates a circuit low fault
  2. 2
    Inspect the CACT sensor connector and wiring from the sensor back to the PCM for visible damage, corrosion, moisture, or rubbing against hot or sharp surfaces
  3. 3
    Disconnect the sensor connector and measure signal wire voltage to ground with the ignition on; if voltage is near 0 V with the sensor disconnected, a wiring short to ground exists
  4. 4
    With the sensor disconnected, verify the PCM supplies approximately 5 V on the reference terminal and a good signal-return path on the ground terminal
  5. 5
    Measure sensor resistance at ambient temperature against manufacturer specifications (NTC sensors typically read 2–5 k-ohms at 20 °C); a near-zero reading confirms an internally shorted sensor
  6. 6
    Repair any identified wiring short, replace corroded connectors, or replace the sensor as determined by testing
  7. 7
    After repair, clear codes and perform a drive cycle that includes a sustained boost/load period, then recheck for recurring codes

Related powertrain codes

Frequently asked questions

Why does "circuit low" sometimes mean the temperature is actually very high?

The CACT sensor is an NTC thermistor: higher temperature means lower resistance, which means lower signal voltage. So an extremely high genuine temperature reading would produce a low voltage on the circuit. In practice, however, P007C from a legitimate high-temperature condition is rare because normal turbo intercooling keeps temperatures in range. A short to ground or a failed sensor is by far the more common cause.

Can a boost or intercooler hose leak cause P007C?

A boost leak alone would not typically cause a circuit low code, but if the sensor is mounted in a hose or fitting that separates, it may lose its sealed position and be exposed to unintended conditions or the connector may pull apart. More directly, oil mist from a heavily oil-contaminated intercooler can contaminate the sensor connector and introduce leakage resistance to ground.

Is P007C common on specific vehicle platforms?

P007C appears relatively frequently on Ford EcoBoost engines (Focus ST, F-150) and on various turbocharged BMW and Volkswagen Group diesels, where the charge air cooler temperature sensor is integrated into the inlet manifold or intercooler outlet pipe and is exposed to heat cycles that degrade the connector seal over time.

What happens if I ignore P007C for a long time?

The PCM will run on a default substitute temperature value indefinitely, which may cause conservative or incorrect fuelling and timing. On diesel vehicles, DPF regeneration will be inhibited, which can eventually lead to a blocked DPF — a significantly more expensive repair. It is best to diagnose and resolve the code promptly.

Disabling P007C in software

RaceTune can permanently disable P007C — and any other OBD-II diagnostic trouble code — on every ECU family we support. The monitor is disabled inside the ECU itself, so the fault stops being logged: the warning light stays off and the engine never enters limp mode for this code. The change is tied to your exact software version.

Permanent
The monitor is disabled in the ECU itself — not just cleared. It cannot return.
Tailored to your file
Each patch is matched to your specific software version — never a one-size-fits-all file.
Reversible
The original file is always preserved. Reflash the stock to return the ECU to factory state.

ECU families we can disable P007C on

We hold the DaVinci A2L disable definitions for these families, so the exact P007C path and mask addresses are mapped. verified marks a confirmed disable definition. We support many more — upload your file and our identifier will match it automatically.

  • Bosch EDC17C50 verified
  • Bosch EDC17C56 verified
  • Bosch EDC17C66 verified
  • Bosch EDC17C74 verified
  • Bosch EDC17CP09 verified
  • Bosch EDC17CP57 verified
  • Bosch MD1CP002 verified
  • Bosch MD1CS001 verified

Software modifications affect emissions compliance and are not road-legal in many jurisdictions. RaceTune service files are intended for motorsport, off-road, and export use.

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