P0103: Air flow sensor circuit high input
The ECU sees a voltage that is too high on the air flow sensor signal. Usually a wiring problem, a poor earth or the sensor itself.
| Code | P0103 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P01xx, Air and fuel metering |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0103 means
The air flow sensor sends a signal that rises with the air coming in. If the ECU sees it above what is possible, it stores this code. It is normally electrical: a loose earth, a signal wire touching a live feed, or a failed sensor sending maximum all the time.
Most common causes
- Corrosion or moisture in the sensor connector
- Loose or poor sensor earth
- Chafed signal wire touching a live wire
- A faulty air flow sensor
- Interference from an ignition lead or a badly fitted accessory nearby
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on
- Engine running rich: higher consumption and black smoke on diesels
- Rough idle or jerking
- Loss of power
Can you drive with P0103?
With care You can drive, but the engine may use more fuel and foul the catalytic converter or particulate filter. Get it fixed soon.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
With the ignition on and the engine off, air flow in live data should read zero or close to it. If it already shows a high figure with no air moving, the fault is in the sensor or its wiring.
How to read and clear P0103 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 P0103 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
- P0100 Mass or volume air flow sensor circuit fault
- P0101 Air flow sensor range or performance problem
- P0102 Air flow sensor circuit low input
- P0104 Air flow sensor circuit intermittent
- P0105 Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor circuit fault
- P0106 Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor range or performance
- P0107 Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor circuit low
- P0108 Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor circuit high
- P0109 Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor circuit intermittent
- P0110 Intake air temperature sensor circuit fault
- P0111 Intake air temperature sensor range or performance
What does code P0103 mean?
The air flow sensor sends a signal that rises with the air coming in. If the ECU sees it above what is possible, it stores this code. It is normally electrical: a loose earth, a signal wire touching a live feed, or a failed sensor sending maximum all the time.
Can you drive with P0103?
You can drive, but the engine may use more fuel and foul the catalytic converter or particulate filter. Get it fixed soon.
How do you clear P0103?
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, P0103 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.
