P0182 — Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Low Input

powertrain (engine/transmission)

Is it safe to drive?

Caution: schedule repair promptly P0182 can cause incorrect fuel-temperature compensation and may contribute to rough running, hesitation, or stalling. Drive to a repair shop if the vehicle operates normally, but avoid continued driving if stalling, severe misfire, or another fuel-system warning is present.

Typical symptoms

The P0182 code is stored in the powertrain control module
The check-engine light illuminates
A rough idle, hesitation, or stalling may occur while the ECU compensates for an implausibly high fuel temperature
Fuel trims or injector-pulse readings may deviate when the vehicle monitors those functions
Starting or power delivery may become unreliable on some vehicles

Common causes

A short to ground in the Fuel Temperature Sensor A signal circuit
A failed or internally shorted fuel temperature sensor
Corrosion, damaged terminals, or a loose connection in the sensor connector
Chafed or improperly routed wiring near the fuel-temperature-sensor harness
An incorrect sensor specification or an ECM input-circuit fault

How to diagnose with an OBD scanner

Inspect the sensor and wiring Locate Fuel Temperature Sensor A using the vehicle wiring diagram. Inspect its connector, terminals, and surrounding harness for corrosion, water intrusion, pin damage, and chafing. Pay particular attention to wiring routed near hot, moving, or vibrating components.
Confirm P0182 with an OBD scanner Connect an ELM327 adapter, AIScanAuto, or another OBD2 scanner and read stored and pending powertrain codes. Confirm that P0182 is current, review freeze-frame data, and check whether the scanner can display the Fuel Temperature Sensor A value or related input voltage.
Measure the circuit at the connector Using the manufacturer wiring diagram and a multimeter, test the sensor supply, ground, and signal terminals with the circuit connected and disconnected as directed. Compare the readings with factory specifications. For P0182, a signal voltage that remains abnormally close to ground strongly suggests a wiring short or sensor failure.
Isolate the sensor from the harness If the manufacturer procedure allows safe access, disconnect Fuel Temperature Sensor A and evaluate the ECU input response. A low input that remains present with the sensor unplugged points toward a harness short; a sensor that produces an abnormal value may itself be defective.
Repair and verification Repair the damaged wiring or connector, replace the sensor with the correct specified part, or address an ECM circuit fault if testing supports it. Clear P0182 with the scanner, then verify that the sensor value and input voltage are plausible and that the code does not return.

Approximate repair cost

A typical independent-shop estimate for diagnosing and repairing P0182 is approximately $200-$800, depending on sensor accessibility, connector condition, wiring damage, and whether the sensor or ECM circuit requires replacement. These figures are estimates and vary by region.

Common questions

What does P0182 specifically mean?

P0182 means the ECU is receiving an abnormally low input from Fuel Temperature Sensor A, often because its signal is shorted to ground or the sensor has failed.

Can I drive with P0182 stored?

If the engine runs smoothly and there are no warning lights beyond the check-engine light, driving to a shop is generally reasonable. Avoid driving if P0182 is accompanied by stalling, severe misfire, or poor power.

Is the fuel temperature sensor always near the fuel tank?

No. Fuel Temperature Sensor A may be located in a fuel rail, supply line, or other fuel-system area depending on the vehicle, so use the wiring diagram before testing or removing components.

Does P0182 always require sensor replacement?

No. A connector fault or a signal wire shorted to ground can set P0182. Circuit testing should determine whether the repair involves the wiring, sensor, or an ECM input-circuit problem.

When your scan tool pulls a P0182 code, the engine control unit is reporting that the fuel temperature sensor circuit is staying abnormally low — essentially reading near-ground voltage when it should be showing a variable signal based on fuel temperature inside the tank. This is classified as a powertrain fault, which means it affects engine or transmission management systems.

The fuel temperature sensor plays a supporting role in fuel delivery calculations. As fuel temperature changes, its electrical resistance shifts in a predictable way. The ECU expects to see a specific voltage range from this sensor. When that voltage drops below the minimum threshold and stays there, the control module logs P0182. Typically the fault must persist through one or more complete drive cycles before the check engine light activates. The stored freeze frame data captures engine speed, load, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed at the moment the problem was detected — valuable information that points you toward the right diagnosis.

"Circuit low" in this context points to a few common failure modes: a wire that has chafed through and shorted to the vehicle frame, a connector that has corroded or backed out of position, a sensor that has internally failed and collapsed in resistance, or a power supply path that has been interrupted. The ECU cannot tell the difference between these possibilities on its own, which is why a methodical physical check matters.

Common Symptoms

The check engine light is illuminated and remains on until the fault is cleared
Fuel economy may increase slightly in some vehicle configurations, because the ECU reverts to a default fuel strategy when sensor data is unreliable
The affected circuit may operate inconsistently or cease normal function entirely
Reduced power mode (limp home) can engage on some makes if the module detects unsafe operating conditions
In rare cases, no noticeable change in driveability occurs until the issue worsens

Typical Causes

Faulty fuel temperature sensor internally shorted to ground
Signal wire in the harness shorted to chassis ground due to insulation damage
Missing or interrupted supply voltage to the sensor circuit
Loose, corroded, or damaged connector at the fuel tank sender assembly
Poor ground connection at the sensor reference point
Control module output driver failure (less common but possible)
Related wiring damage from road debris or tank heat shield contact

How to Diagnose P0182

Confirm the code with a quality OBD2 scanner, record the freeze frame data, and note any other stored codes. Multiple related codes can reveal a shared wiring problem.
Consult manufacturer TSBs for your specific make, model, and model year. Some P0182 faults have documented factory repairs or flash updates that resolve the issue without parts replacement.
Perform a visual inspection of the fuel temperature sensor connector and the surrounding harness. Look for broken insulation, bent pins, moisture intrusion, and corrosion on both the sensor and ECU sides of the circuit.
Measure voltage at the sensor connector with the key on engine off. Compare against specifications. Then check resistance from the signal wire to a known good ground — a reading below a few ohms indicates a short to ground somewhere in the harness.
Wiggle-test the wiring harness while monitoring live scanner data. Intermittent dropouts or sudden value changes point to a broken strand inside a wire that still makes partial contact.
Clear the code, drive the vehicle under the conditions recorded in the freeze frame, and recheck. If P0182 returns, the fault is confirmed and the circuit needs repair or component replacement.

Repair Options and Costs

The repair depends entirely on what the diagnosis reveals. Here are the common scenarios at independent shop rates:

Fuel temperature sensor replacement (parts and labor): $150–$500
Wiring harness repair or connector replacement: $80–$250
Control module diagnosis and repair: $300–$1,000

Most cases involve a bad sensor or damaged wiring, which fall on the lower end of that range. Control module issues are uncommon but significantly more expensive to address.

Driving Safety Verdict

P0182 carries a short-term severity rating. Most vehicles remain drivable after this code appears, though you may notice altered throttle response or a disabled auxiliary system depending on the platform. If the car exhibits stalling, failure to start, or any warning lights affecting steering and braking, treat it as an immediate concern and have it inspected before continuing to drive.