P0542: The intake air heater A gives a higher signal than normal
The intake air heater A gives a higher signal than normal. It is usually the part, its wiring or a connector with poor contact.
| Code | P0542 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P05xx, Speed, idle and auxiliary inputs |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
How to read and clear P0542 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 P0542 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
- P053E The sump pressure is above normal
- P053F The cold start fuel pressure (bank 1) gives readings outside the normal range
- P0540 The intake air heater A has an electrical fault
- P0541 The intake air heater A gives a lower signal than normal
- P0543 The intake air heater A has a broken or disconnected wire
- P0544 The exhaust gas temperature sensor (bank 1, sensor 1) has an electrical fault
- P0545 The exhaust gas temperature sensor (bank 1
- P0546 High signal from the first exhaust gas temperature sensor
- P0500 Vehicle speed sensor malfunction
- P0501 Vehicle speed sensor range/performance
- P0502 Vehicle speed sensor circuit low input
- P0503 Vehicle speed sensor intermittent, erratic or high
What does code P0542 mean?
The intake air heater A gives a higher signal than normal. It is usually the part, its wiring or a connector with poor contact.
How do you clear P0542?
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, P0542 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.
