P0184 Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Intermittent
OBD-II Trouble Code Technical Description
Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Intermittent
What does that mean?
This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a generic powertrain code, which means that it applies to OBD-II equipped vehicles (Nissan, Ford, Fiat, Chevrolet, Toyota, Dodge, etc.). Although generic, the specific repair steps may vary depending on make/model.
Simply stated, a stored code P0184 means that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected a voltage signal from the fuel temperature sensor (or circuit) that is intermittent or erratic. "A" refers to an area of circuitry as opposed to a particular circuit or component.
Fuel temperature sensors, in OBD II equipped vehicles, are typically integrated into the fuel composition sensor housing. The fuel composition sensor provides an accurate fuel composition and fuel temperature analysis to the PCM. A small, computerized mechanism, the fuel composition sensor is found in-line between the fuel tank and the fuel rail.
Fuel passing through the fuel composition sensor, is evaluated to determine the percentage of ethanol, water, and other contaminants. Square waveform patterns (representing voltage) are input to the PCM according to the level of contamination in the fuel. High concentrations of fuel contamination are indicated by shorter waveform frequencies. Waveform frequency could also be explained as the vertical posting of the pattern.
Flex fuel vehicles typically function well with fuel composition levels that are as high as eighty-five-percent ethanol. The horizontal portion of the waveform represents fuel temperature and is recognized by the PCM as pulse width. The broader the pulse width of the waveform, the higher the temperature of the fuel passing through the fuel composition sensor. Between one and five-milliseconds (hundredths-of-a-second) is the usual pulse width variation in OBD II vehicles.
If the fuel temperature signal appears intermittent or erratic, a P0184 code will be stored and a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) may be illuminated. The majority of OBD II equipped vehicles will require multiple ignition cycles (with a failure) for MIL illumination.
Code Severity & Symptoms
This code should be treated as severe because fuel temperature is used to calculate fuel delivery strategy in flex fuel vehicles. Symptoms of a P0184 code may include:
Causes
Potential causes for this code to set are:
Diagnostic and Repair Procedures
A good starting point is always to check for technical service bulletins (TSB) for your particular vehicle. Your issue may be a known issue with a known fix put out by the manufacturer and can save you time and money during diagnosis.
A diagnostic scanner, with an integrated DVOM and an oscilloscope, is possibly the best tool for diagnosing a code P0184. A vehicle information source (like All Data DIY) and an infrared thermometer can also be very beneficial.
An appropriate beginning to any diagnosis is a visual inspection of all related wiring harnesses and connectors. Damaged, burnt, or corroded wiring and connectors must be repaired or replaced. Next, you will want to clear the codes and retest the system. I like to utilize the OBD II readiness mode when multiple failure cycles are required for MIL illumination. When the repairs are completed, clear the codes then drive the vehicle normally. Your repairs were successful if the PCM enters readiness mode. The malfunction still exists if the code is reset. A five-volt reference signal and a ground are supplied to the fuel composition sensor which is of the variable resistance variety. The fuel composition sensor completes the circuit and provides the PCM with a fluctuating fuel temperature voltage signal. Test reference voltage and ground at the fuel temp sensor connector using the DVOM. If you don’t find reference voltage at the fuel temperature sensor connector, use the DVOM to test corresponding circuits at the PCM connector. If no reference voltage is discovered at the PCM connector, suspect a defective PCM or a PCM programming error. Contemplate PCM failure only as a last resort.
Using the oscilloscope, you can monitor live data in waveform patterns if the reference and ground are both present at the fuel temperature sensor connector. Use the infrared thermometer to obtain actual fuel temperature and compare it with the temperature revealed by the waveform patterns on the oscilloscope. If the fuel temperature, revealed by the waveform voltage patterns, fails to coincide with that of the thermometer, suspect that the fuel temperature sensor is bad.
Additional diagnostic notes:
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"Delete Error Code Permanently, Disable DTC Error Code Function for p0184 in the ECU"
In extreme cases, we even have the option to permanently remove the specific DTC p0184 and disable the function of the specific error code in the ECU. All other fault code functions will then continue to work to protect the engine. This is different from clearing an error code with a diagnostic device. We have the option to permanently remove the function of the specific error code, so that it never comes back. Also emergency running that occurs on the specific error code can be solved in most cases.
Of course we prefer to first try to solve the cause of the error code, but sometimes the only solution is to permanently disable the DTC function of p0184.
