P00A0

Charge Air Cooler Temperature Sensor Circuit Bank 2

P00A0 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Charge Air Cooler Temperature Sensor Circuit Bank 2. 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
P00A0
Group
Powertrain
System
Powertrain
Severity
Warning (MIL on)
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What P00A0 means

Code P00A0 is a generic OBD-II powertrain fault indicating that the PCM has detected a general malfunction in the charge air cooler (CAC) temperature sensor circuit for engine bank 2. The charge air cooler — commonly called an intercooler — sits between the turbocharger compressor outlet and the intake manifold, cooling the compressed hot air before it enters the cylinders. Denser, cooler charge air allows more fuel to be added per combustion cycle, improving power and reducing knock risk. The temperature sensor is a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor that varies its resistance with temperature; the PCM converts this resistance to a temperature value used for boost pressure management, fuelling corrections, DPF regeneration timing, and knock control. P00A0 is a broad circuit fault — it means the sensor signal is present but outside a range the PCM considers plausible, or the circuit has failed entirely. It is distinct from P00A1 (range/performance) and P00A2 (circuit low), although all three can appear together when the wiring is severely damaged.

Common causes

Most-frequently reported root causes when P00A0 is logged.

  • 1
    Defective charge air cooler temperature sensor (thermistor failure — open or short internally)
  • 2
    Damaged, chafed, or broken wiring between the sensor and the PCM connector
  • 3
    Corroded, loose, or backed-out terminals in the sensor connector or PCM harness connector
  • 4
    Blocked or internally fouled charge air cooler causing extreme temperature readings that trip the plausibility limit
  • 5
    Oil contamination inside the intercooler or intake tract coating the sensor element and skewing its response
  • 6
    Missing or incorrect 5 V reference voltage from the PCM (faulty PCM output driver)
  • 7
    Open ground circuit between the sensor and PCM

Symptoms drivers notice

Check engine light (MIL) illuminated
Reduced engine performance or sluggish throttle response as the PCM uses a substitute air temperature value
Decreased fuel economy because boost and fuelling corrections are based on inaccurate temperature data
Possible activation of restricted performance (limp) mode on some vehicles
Diesel particulate filter regeneration cycles may be inhibited if the ECU cannot confirm adequate charge air temperature
Intermittent fault behaviour when connector corrosion is the root cause — fault may clear when the engine warms the connector

How to diagnose P00A0

A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.

  1. 1
    Connect a scan tool and read live charge air cooler temperature data for bank 2; compare to ambient air temperature at cold start — the values should be similar before the engine and turbo warm up
  2. 2
    Visually inspect the sensor body, connector, and wiring harness from the sensor back to the firewall for signs of heat damage, abrasion, or moisture ingress
  3. 3
    Unplug the sensor connector and measure the 5 V reference and ground return signals at the harness side using a multimeter — confirm 5 V ± 0.2 V and less than 0.5 Ω ground resistance
  4. 4
    Measure the sensor's own resistance at a known temperature and compare to the manufacturer's NTC resistance–temperature table; a reading far outside the table indicates a failed sensor
  5. 5
    Inspect the charge air cooler and connecting ducting for cracks, collapsed hoses, or oil fouling that could produce unusual temperature readings
  6. 6
    Clear codes and perform a road test with live data monitoring; if the fault is intermittent, wiggle the wiring harness while watching the temperature value on the scan tool to isolate connector/wiring faults
  7. 7
    If all wiring and the sensor test good, verify PCM power and ground integrity before considering PCM replacement

Related powertrain codes

Frequently asked questions

What does bank 2 mean for the charge air cooler sensor?

Bank 2 is the cylinder bank that does not contain cylinder number 1. On a V-configuration engine with a twin-turbo or twin-intercooler setup, each bank has its own charge air cooler and temperature sensor; P00A0 specifically faults the bank 2 sensor circuit.

Can a blocked intercooler trigger P00A0?

Yes. A severely fouled or oil-saturated intercooler can cause the sensor to read temperatures outside the PCM's plausibility window, setting a circuit fault even though the sensor itself is undamaged. Cleaning or replacing the intercooler may resolve the code.

Is P00A0 serious enough to warrant immediate repair?

It is not an immediate breakdown risk, but it should be addressed within a reasonable time. Without accurate charge air temperature data, the PCM falls back to substitute values that may result in sub-optimal fuelling, increased knock risk on petrol engines, and possible DPF regeneration issues on diesels.

Can I clear P00A0 and keep driving until I get to a workshop?

Clearing the code and driving short distances is generally safe, but the MIL will likely return if the fault persists. Prolonged driving without accurate intercooler temperature feedback can affect fuel economy and emission control system operation.

Disabling P00A0 in software

RaceTune can permanently disable P00A0 — 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.

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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