P0072Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit A Low
- Generic OBD-II code · Powertrain
- Turns on the check-engine light
- Matters for the ITP
- Needs a drive cycle to confirm a fix
- How the car detects it
- The ambient air temperature sensor A is an NTC thermistor whose resistance falls as temperature rises. Its value is used by the climate control, the outside temperature display and the engine control module, which needs it to enable other diagnostics and to correct its maps. Depending on the vehicle the engine control module reads the sensor directly, or the instrument cluster or another module sends the value over the data bus; some vehicles have no sensor and estimate ambient temperature from intake air temperature. P0072: A low signal means low sensor resistance, typically a short to ground; with an NTC sensor the control module then reads an extremely high temperature.
- What you may notice
- Outside temperature display shows implausibly high values
- Climate control regulates incorrectly
- Check engine light on (manufacturer-dependent)
- Other monitors may not complete
- Likely causes
- LikelySignal wire shorted to ground
- LikelySensor shorted internally
- PossibleInstrument cluster or data transmission faulty (vehicles with bus-supplied value)
- RareEngine control module faulty
- Inspection (ITP)
- Matters for the ITP. While the check-engine light is on, the car fails the emissions check.
- Repair
- Easy · Often possible to do yourself.Typical cost: €40 – €200
- Related codes
Explanation from obdex (CC0), exactly as the app shows it. Guidance only; confirm with a workshop.