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DTC codes / P01xx · Fuel and air metering / P0184

P0184Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Intermittent

P0184 indicates that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected an intermittent fault in the fuel temperature sensor 'A' circuit, meaning the signal from the sensor momentarily drops out or becomes erratic rather than failing completely. The PCM monitors the sensor's voltage and flags this code when the signal is present but unstable, often due to a loose connection or a sensor that is beginning to fail.

SystemPowertrain
Code typeGeneric (all makes)
SeverityLow
Fix difficultyIntermediate
AreaFuel and air metering

Symptoms you may notice

  • Illumination of the check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms.
  • Intermittent rough running or hesitation, especially during cold starts or when the engine is warming up.
  • Poor fuel economy or slightly increased fuel consumption.
  • Occasional hard starting or extended cranking, particularly in cold weather.
  • In rare cases, a brief stumble or loss of power that may not repeat consistently.

Common causes, most likely first

  1. A faulty fuel temperature sensor that is beginning to fail internally and produces an intermittent signal.
  2. Corroded, loose, or damaged electrical connectors at the sensor or PCM, causing an intermittent connection.
  3. Chafed or broken wires in the sensor circuit that make contact only intermittently, often due to vibration or heat.
  4. A poor ground connection for the sensor circuit, leading to a fluctuating reference voltage.
  5. A failing PCM, though this is less common and should be considered only after all other possibilities are ruled out.
  6. Extreme temperature variations or contamination of the sensor element that temporarily disrupt its output.

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Inspect the fuel temperature sensor and its connector for corrosion, looseness, or damage, and clean or tighten as needed.
  2. Perform a wiggle test on the sensor wiring harness while monitoring live data to identify intermittent opens or shorts.
  3. Check the sensor's resistance or voltage output against the manufacturer's specifications when the fault is active.
  4. Verify the integrity of the ground circuit for the sensor, repairing any high-resistance connections.
  5. Replace the fuel temperature sensor if it fails the electrical test or if the connector and wiring are confirmed good.
  6. Clear the diagnostic trouble codes and road-test the vehicle to confirm the repair, monitoring for any recurrence.

Intermittent faults demand careful circuit testing

  • An intermittent code like P0184 often leaves no stored freeze-frame data, so the fault must be caught in the act with a scan tool recording live sensor voltage.
  • A common mistake is replacing the sensor immediately, when the real culprit is often a chafed wire near a hot exhaust component or a corroded pin in the connector.
  • The fuel temperature sensor shares its reference voltage and ground with other sensors on many vehicles, so a fault in a shared circuit can set P0184 alongside other codes.
  • This code does not always mean the sensor is bad; a poor connection at the PCM can mimic a sensor failure, so always back-probe the PCM terminals as part of diagnosis.
  • On some vehicles, the fuel temperature sensor is integrated into the fuel pressure sensor or fuel rail, making replacement more involved and requiring a thorough circuit check first.

Can I keep driving with P0184?

The vehicle is generally safe to drive with P0184 because the fault is intermittent and the PCM can often substitute a default value, but avoid heavy loads or long trips until the issue is resolved to prevent potential drivability problems.

Tools that help

Tools we recommend are in the Auto Veteran shop on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.

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