P0071: Ambient air temperature sensor range or performance problem
The outside temperature sensor gives readings that do not agree with the car’s other sensors. Usually the sensor itself or something heating it.
| Code | P0071 |
|---|---|
| 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 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.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
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 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
- 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
- P0070 Ambient air temperature sensor circuit fault
- 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
- P0075 The intake valve control (bank 1) has an electrical 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)
What does code P0071 mean?
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.
Can you drive with P0071?
It does not usually affect how the car drives. You can use it as normal.
How do you clear P0071?
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, P0071 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.
