P00A1
Charge Air Cooler Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance Bank 2
Charge air cooler temp sensor
Generic OBD-II
Low
What it means
P00A1 means the charge air cooler (intercooler) temperature sensor on bank 2 is reporting a value that's implausible or out of its expected range. It's an air-temperature sensor on a forced-induction engine, so the engine still runs normally, but the ECM uses this reading to trim boost and fueling. It's a low-severity fault worth fixing so those adjustments stay accurate.
Low
Can I keep driving? Yes — this is an intercooler air-temperature sensor reading out of range; the engine runs normally and it's safe to drive while you get it checked.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on (often the only sign)
- Slightly altered boost or fueling behaviour under load
- Minor drop in fuel economy or performance in some cases
- May prevent emissions-readiness monitors from completing
Common causes
Most likely first
- Faulty charge air cooler (intercooler) temperature sensor on bank 2Likely
- Damaged, corroded, or loose sensor connectorCommon
- Open or shorted wiring in the sensor circuitCommon
- Sensor reading skewed by contamination or air/coolant flow issuesLess often
- Failed ECM/PCM (rare)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and compare the bank 2 charge-air-cooler temp reading to ambient and intake-air temps after a cold soak — they should agree.
- Inspect the sensor connector and wiring for corrosion, damage, or looseness.
- Back-probe the sensor signal and compare to the known-good bank 1 sensor.
- Replace the charge air cooler temperature sensor if it reads out of range. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P00A1?+
Yes. It's an air-temperature sensor reading out of range on a turbo/supercharged engine — drivability is normal. Get it fixed to keep boost and fueling accurate and to pass emissions.
Can I just clear P00A1?+
You can, but it returns once the ECM sees the same out-of-range reading again unless the sensor or its wiring is repaired.
Related codes
Often seen with P00A1
Read & clear P00A1 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX