P0071: Ambient air temperature sensor range or performance problem

What P0071 means

Here the signal arrives, but the ECU does not find it believable. For example, after the car has stood all night it compares outside temperature with engine and intake air temperature, which should be similar. If the ambient sensor is too far off or does not change when it should, this code is set.

Most common causes

• The sensor itself has drifted or aged
• Sensor out of position or off its bracket, picking up heat from the engine or radiator
• Moisture or corrosion in the connector skewing the reading
• Mud or dirt caked on the sensor
• Another engine temperature sensor reading wrong, so the comparison fails

Symptoms

• Wrong outside temperature on the dashboard
• Climate control does not hold the set temperature well
• Engine warning light on some models

Can you drive with P0071?

Yes, no rush It does not usually affect how the car drives. You can use it as normal.

How to check it

After the car has stood overnight, switch the ignition on and compare ambient, intake air and coolant temperatures in live data: they should be within a few degrees. The odd one out is the faulty sensor.

How to read and clear P0071 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 P0071 with this same explanation and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.

With Free you read this code with its short description for nothing, and clear it if the engine stores it over standard OBD. With Pro you get the full explanation, how the car was running when it was logged (revs, temperature, load) and clearing in every control unit.

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 the ITV. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in the ITV and OBD.

Similar codes

• P0057 Oxygen sensor heater circuit low (bank 2, sensor 2)
• P0058 Oxygen sensor heater circuit high (bank 2, sensor 2)
• P0069 Manifold pressure and barometric pressure do not match
• P0070 Ambient air temperature sensor circuit fault
• P0087 Fuel rail or system pressure too low
• P0088 Fuel rail or system pressure too high
• P0089 Fuel pressure regulator performance problem
• P0090 Fuel pressure regulator control circuit fault
• 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)

P0071 is a generic code, so it means the same on any make, for example on Alfa Romeo, Audi, Dacia, Kia, Opel / Vauxhall, Toyota. See what Final OBD does on your car in makes and models.