P0070: Ambient air temperature sensor circuit fault
The ECU is not getting a valid signal from the sensor that measures outside air temperature. Almost always the sensor, its wiring or connector.
| Code | P0070 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P00xx, Air, fuel and emissions |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | Yes, no rush |
What P0070 means
The ambient air temperature sensor measures the air outside the car. It feeds the climate control, the dashboard thermometer and, on some cars, engine management. This code means the signal in the circuit is not valid: it is missing, broken or makes no sense.
Most common causes
- Loose or corroded sensor connector, or spread pins
- Broken or chafed sensor wire (it usually sits behind the front bumper, exposed to knocks and water)
- A faulty sensor
- Bumper damage that has hit the sensor or its bracket
- A poor earth or power supply problem in the circuit
Symptoms
- Wrong outside temperature or dashes on the dashboard display
- Automatic climate control does not regulate properly
- Engine warning light on some models
Can you drive with P0070?
Yes, no rush The engine is not usually affected. You can drive normally and fix it when convenient.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
Check ambient temperature in live data with the car cold: it should be close to the real outside temperature. A fixed extreme reading (very low or very high) points to wiring or the sensor.
How to read and clear P0070 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0070 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P006C The MAP sensor and turbocharger or supercharger boost pressure sensor readings
- P006D Atmospheric pressure and turbocharger inlet pressure do not match each other
- P006E The turbocharger boost control A power supply voltage is below normal
- P006F The turbocharger boost control A power supply voltage is above normal
- P0071 Ambient air temperature sensor range or performance problem
- P0072 Low signal from the outside temperature sensor
- P0073 The ambience air temperature sensor gives a higher signal than normal
- P0074 The ambience air temperature sensor fails now and then
- P0010 Camshaft A actuator control: open circuit (bank 1)
- P0011 Camshaft A timing over-advanced (bank 1)
- P0012 Camshaft A timing over-retarded (bank 1)
- P0013 Camshaft B actuator control: open circuit (bank 1)
What does code P0070 mean?
The ambient air temperature sensor measures the air outside the car. It feeds the climate control, the dashboard thermometer and, on some cars, engine management. This code means the signal in the circuit is not valid: it is missing, broken or makes no sense.
Can you drive with P0070?
The engine is not usually affected. You can drive normally and fix it when convenient.
How do you clear P0070?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0070 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
