KlaroFault codeP0072
MODERATEAmbient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Low
What this code means
Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Low.
P0072 is a generic code: it means the same thing on every make. P0072 belongs to family P00xx — Fuel and air metering, auxiliary emission controls. Its page explains how to read a code and groups all its codes by part.
Type of fault
The control unit reads a voltage on this circuit below its expected range. Usual causes: a wire shorted to ground or broken, a corroded or loose connector, or the component itself. Check the wiring and connector before replacing the part — that is where many of these faults turn out to be.
Ambient air temperature sensor
The ambient temperature sensor, usually behind the front bumper or in a door mirror, measures the outside temperature. The engine control unit uses it for some corrections, and it also feeds the dashboard display and the air conditioning.
What you notice
Wrong outside temperature on the dashboard, air conditioning that behaves oddly; the engine itself runs normally in most cases.
How to check it
Its location makes it vulnerable to knocks, gravel and water: check the sensor and its connector behind the bumper. Car parked for several hours, its reading in Klaro should be close to the intake air temperature.
Watch it live in Klaro
With an OBD2 adapter plugged in, these live readings show the part at work, when your car reports them:
- Ambient air temperature
- Intake air temperature
What to do
Have it checked this week. The car remains usable, but the fault will not clear itself and will fail the roadworthiness test.
Clearing a code switches the light off but repairs nothing: if the fault remains, the code comes back. Clearing a fault code yourself →
How to read this code
- PPowertrain
- 0standardised code
- 0Fuel and air metering, auxiliary emission controls
- 72P0072
