P0182 — Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Low
Low severityWhat it means
P0182 is stored when the engine control unit sees a fault involving the fuel temperature sensor circuit. The fuel temperature sensor tells the control unit how warm the fuel is, which fine-tunes fuelling — particularly on diesel engines. A “low” reading means the signal is stuck near the bottom of its range, which usually points to a short to ground or an internally failed sensor.
Common symptoms
- The live reading sits abnormally low or at zero
- Usually only a check engine light
- Minor changes in fuel economy or starting
- Rarely any strong driveability change
Likely causes
- Signal wire shorted to ground
- Internally failed sensor pulling the signal low
- A faulty fuel temperature sensor
- A wiring or connector fault
What to check first
- Compare the live signal against a known-good range and check for a short to ground
- Compare fuel temperature with ambient temperature on a cold start in live data
- Inspect the sensor connector and wiring
Can you keep driving?
Usually safe to drive; only fine fuelling is affected, and it is generally an inexpensive fix.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common cause of P0182?
The most likely cause is: Signal wire shorted to ground. Several other faults can set P0182 as well, so confirm the real cause with live data and the checks above before replacing any parts.
Can I just clear P0182 and keep driving?
Clearing P0182 with an OBD2 scanner turns the warning light off, but if the underlying fault has not been repaired the code will usually come back within a few drive cycles. Fix the cause first, then clear the code to confirm the repair worked.
How serious is P0182?
P0182 is a low-severity code. It rarely affects how the car drives, but it is still worth fixing so the engine runs efficiently and passes an emissions test.
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