P0073 - OBD Trouble Code

<<See All OBD Codes

The information that is received from the ambient air temperature sensor is used by the powertrain control module so that it can regulate the levels of the ambient air temperature as well as intake air temperature. Now if the ambient air temperature exceeds the level of the intake air temperature, then P0073 error code would be stored by the PCM and then check engine light would start appearing.

The P0073 trouble code shows that the powertrain control module has received an uncommon signal from the ambient air temperature sensor. If any ambient air temperature reading exceeds the temperature of the intake air which is perceived, this would store the code in the powertrain control module and would give rise to the illumination of service engine soon lamp.

What causes this problem with the Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit High Input?

• Faults in the ambient air temperature sensor
• The harness of the ambient air temperature sensor can get opened or shorted
• Bad electrical connection in the ambient air temperature sensor

1. Powertrain Control Module - Damaged PCM hampers the engine timing. Find all the Powertrain related parts with us.
2. Ignition Switch - P0073 error code also relates to problems with the Ignition Switch. Find all the Ignition Switch related parts with us.
3. Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Harness - OBD Error Code P0073 can simply be due to faulty Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Harness. Replace old and damage components now!
4. Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit is an important car part which should never be neglected. May be there is some fault in it due to which P0073 code may start flashing.
5. Indicator Light - Everything is fine with turbocharger/supercharger and still P0073 code triggering? Then you must get your Indicator Light checked.

For us our customers are everything, and that’s why we will help you to diagnose P0073 code by mentioning some important symptoms below:

Common Symptoms

• The malfunction indicator light can be turned on
• The can be some defects in the car air conditioning due to which it might not function properly
• The outside temperature may not be read properly by the instrument cluster

The overhead console may have some faults due to which is might not be able to read outside temperature accurately

• You must repair or replace the wires which have shorts or breaks in them
• Then you can always absolve the electric circuitry and connector from any possible corrosion
• The ambient air temperature sensor should be replaced 

• The technician can use an OBD-II scanner to get information from the PCM about why the Check Engine Light is on. The technician would be able to record freeze frame data about the trouble codes that have been stored by the PCM with the help of OBD-II scanner. If the P0073 trouble code is present, then the technician will have to inspect the ambient air temperature sensor to make sure that there is no debris covering the sensor.
• The wires and connector for shorts, opens, wires that are bare, and corrosion in the connector should be inspected by the technician. If it is needed, then these components will be repaired or replaced and the technician will clear the trouble code and a test drive should be conducted to see if the P0073 trouble code returns.
• Now if you find out that the P0073 trouble code does not return, the ambient air temperature sensor error has been resolved and then there is no need to replace the sensor. But if the P0073 trouble code returns immediately, then the ambient air sensor should be replaced. If the code takes some time before it returns again, then this would mean there can be an intermittent problem with the voltage going to the PCM, which would need further diagnosis. If these diagnostic steps have not resolved the P0073 ambient air temperature sensor trouble code, then there are chances that power control module has some problem. This case is extremely rare. 

Common Mistakes When Diagnosing the P0073 Code

Make sure that you first carefully inspect the car wiring as well as connectors before getting the ambient air temperature sensor replaced. The reason behind this is that there can be faults in some car parts and getting the ambient air temperature sensor replaced which was actually working properly would be only a waste of money.