P0073

Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit A High

Sensor / climate input Generic OBD-II Low

What it means

P0073 means the ambient (outside) air temperature sensor circuit is reading high — typically an open circuit or a short-to-voltage, so the signal looks unrealistically cold. This sensor feeds the outside-temp display and climate/A/C control, not core engine fueling, so the engine runs normally. The usual causes are a failed sensor, corroded connector, or damaged wiring.

Low

Can I keep driving? The engine runs and drives normally; this mainly affects the outside-temperature reading and climate/AC control.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

1,083

scans in the past year

Found in

0.2%

of scans

0.3%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0073 scans

P0113in 10.7% of scans

P261Ain 9.1% of scans

P2564in 7.8% of scans

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Inaccurate or stuck outside-temperature reading on the dash
Automatic climate control or A/C behaving oddly
Possible cooling-fan behavior changes

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty ambient air temperature sensorLikely
Open circuit or short-to-voltage in the sensor wiringCommon
Corroded or loose connector at the sensorCommon
Damaged wiring near the sensor (front of vehicle, exposed to weather)Less often
Failed ECM/PCM input (least likely)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and check the sensor's reported temperature against actual outside temperature.
Inspect the sensor and connector (usually near the grille/front bumper) for corrosion or damage.
Check the wiring for an open or a short-to-voltage back to the module.
Measure sensor resistance against spec; replace the sensor if out of range.
Repair wiring/connector faults, clear the code, and confirm the reading is correct.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0073?+

Yes. This sensor doesn't affect how the engine runs — it mainly affects the temperature display and climate control. Fix it at your convenience.

Can I just clear P0073?+

It will come back until the sensor or wiring is repaired, since the circuit reads high (open) continuously.

Read & clear P0073 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX