P0070 Outside (ambient) air temperature sensor circuit fault

Ambient air temperature sensor circuit "A" malfunction

Severity not verified — if the car runs badly, have it inspected

TroubleCodes.net says it often causes no drivability issues, but Kelley Blue Book says to take it seriously, so the sources reviewed do not agree on urgency and no severity is claimed.

Source: how we rate severity

P0070 in short

P0070 means the engine computer found a fault in the circuit for the outside air temperature sensor, usually behind the front bumper. A loose or corroded connector, a damaged wire or a failed sensor is the usual cause. It mostly affects automatic climate control and the temperature display, not how the engine runs.

The ambient air temperature sensor sits behind the front bumper or grille and tells the computer and the climate control how warm it is outside. The computer reads its circuit voltage. If the reading is out of its normal range, or the circuit looks open or shorted, it sets P0070.

TroubleCodes.net and Kelley Blue Book name the sensor, its wiring and its connector as the places to look. Chrysler bulletins for the Pacifica, Ram and Grand Cherokee show P0070 and P0073 set together, with a loose or corroded front connector found on some.

If the sensor has been replaced and the code returns, a Kia owner reports a mechanic saw a fault in the control module circuit instead, so the circuit needs testing before more parts are bought.

Most likely causes

  1. Loose or corroded connector at the front of the vehicle (some Chrysler models)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Chrysler bulletin S2008000147 reports a loose ambient air temperature connector setting P0070-15 and P0073 on the Pacifica, and 9004290 repairs a corroded XY101 front fascia connector for P0073. Unverified bulletin summaries.
    What would change this
    Rises on a Pacifica or similar if the connector is loose, green or wet. Falls if the connector is clean and tight.

  2. Failed or damaged ambient temperature sensor

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Kelley Blue Book calls the sensor the most common cause and notes collision damage at the front end; TroubleCodes.net lists sensor damage first.
    What would change this
    Rises if the sensor shows an extreme reading or open circuit on a scan tool. Falls if it reads close to the real outside temperature.

  3. Damaged wiring or harness

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Both references list broken wiring or poor electrical connections in the sensor circuit.
    What would change this
    Rises if the harness is chafed, burnt or pinched near the bumper. Falls if the circuit checks good end to end.

  4. Control module input circuit

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net says a module fault is rare, and a Kia owner (complaint 11670083) reports a mechanic found a control module circuit fault after the sensor was replaced. It stays last until the sensor and wiring are cleared.
    What would change this
    Rises only if a new sensor and good wiring still give the same code. Falls if either one is faulty.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all stored codes. Note whether P0073 (same circuit, high) or a lost-communication code is stored with P0070.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfP0073 is stored with P0070 on a Chrysler, Ram or Jeep

      It meansChrysler bulletins list the two together; check the front connector first.

      Go to step 2

    • IfP0070 is the only code

      It meansInspect the sensor and connector.

      Go to step 2

  2. With the engine off, look at the ambient temperature sensor behind the bumper or grille and its connector for damage, looseness, corrosion or water.

    Low risk

  3. Have the sensor resistance and the circuit voltage and ground checked with a multimeter, and compare the scan tool reading with the real outside temperature.

    Use cautionTool: multimeter, scan tool

    Warning:The sensor is near the front of the engine bay and cooling fans can start without warning. Back-probing the wrong pin can damage the control module.

Symptoms

  • Wrong or missing outside temperature on the dash
  • Automatic climate control not working in Auto mode, or A/C compressor problems
  • Check engine light, sometimes with no change in how the engine runs

How to fix

  1. With the engine off, check that the ambient temperature sensor connector behind the front bumper is fully seated, clean and dry.

On your vehicle

Chrysler

  • 2020–2021 · Pacifica

    Supported by vehicle data

    Chrysler bulletin S2008000147 reports a loose ambient air temperature connector setting P0070-15 and P0073 on the 2020-2021 Pacifica. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • S2008000147Status unverified

    Ambient air temperature connector loose, P0070-15 and P0073

    2020–2021pacifica · issued · NHTSA 10181579

    Loose ambient air temperature connector sets P0070-15 and P0073 with the MIL on.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • S2008000132 RevCStatus unverified

    Ambient air temperature shown wrongly, P0070 and P0073, U11E9

    2020–2022pacifica, voyager · issued · NHTSA 10212345

    Summary lists the MIL, a lost-communication code with the active grille shutter module, a wrong ambient temperature display and P0070 and P0073.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ram

  • 2021–2022 · 1500

    Supported by vehicle data

    Chrysler bulletin S2208000080 lists P0070-15 and P0073 for a missing ambient air temperature on 2021-2022 Ram trucks. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • S2208000080Status unverified

    Ambient air temperature missing, MIL on, P0070-15 and P0073

    2021–20221500, 2500, 3500 · issued · NHTSA 10212337

    Lists P0070-15 (circuit short to battery or open) and P0073 (circuit high) for the ambient air temperature sensor.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Jeep

  • 2021 · Grand Cherokee

    Supported by vehicle data

    Chrysler bulletin S2108000272 covers a check engine light with P0070 and P0073 active on the 2021-2022 Grand Cherokee. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • S2108000272Status unverified

    MIL on, P0070 and P0073 active for ambient air temperature sensor

    2021grand-cherokee · issued · NHTSA 10204335

    NHTSA summary lists the codes for the ambient air temperature sensor and does not state the repair.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P0073Outside (ambient) air temperature sensor circuit signal too high

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    P0073 is the high-input fault on the same sensor circuit. FCA bulletins list P0070 and P0073 together.

All Body electrical codes

P0070 questions

Is P0070 a serious code?

Sources disagree. It mainly affects the temperature display and automatic climate control, but have it checked soon rather than ignoring it.

I replaced the sensor and P0070 came back. Why?

The fault may be in the connector, the wiring or the control module circuit. One Kia owner reports exactly this.

Sources and review

  1. Chrysler (FCA US) S2008000147: Ambient air temperature connector loose, MIL on, P0070-15 and P0073 — Chrysler (FCA US) (filed with NHTSA)
  2. Chrysler (FCA US) 9004290: Front fascia wiring for U11E9 and/or P0073 — Chrysler (FCA US) (filed with NHTSA)
  3. P0070 OBD-II code page — Kelley Blue Book (Cox Automotive)
  4. P0070 trouble code page — TroubleCodes.net
  5. NHTSA complaint 11670083: 2021 Kia Seltos — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  6. Chrysler (FCA US) S2208000080: Ambient air temperature missing, MIL on, P0070-15 and P0073 — Chrysler (FCA US) (filed with NHTSA)
  7. Chrysler (FCA US) S2108000272: Check engine light on, P0070 and P0073 active for the ambient air temperature sensor — Chrysler (FCA US) (filed with NHTSA)
  8. Chrysler (FCA US) S2008000132 RevC: MIL on, U11E9 lost communication with AGS, ambient air temperature incorrectly displayed, P0070 and P0073 — Chrysler (FCA US) (filed with NHTSA)
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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