Code
P0EC1
Generic
P — Powertrain
A/C Refrigerant Temperature Sensor B Circuit
Views:
UK: 11
EN: 15
RU: 12
AI status
Completed
Completed
100%
Causes
- Faulty A/C refrigerant temperature sensor B (thermistor)
- Open circuit in sensor wiring (broken wire, connector pin pushed out)
- Short to ground or battery voltage in the sensor circuit
- Corroded or loose connector or terminals
- Poor ground or missing reference voltage from A/C control module
- Intermittent wiring damage (chafed, pinched harness)
Symptoms
- HVAC displays incorrect cabin temperature or erratic automatic climate behavior
- A/C compressor may cycle on/off rapidly or be disabled by control system
- Reduced cooling performance or inability to maintain set temperature
- DTC stored and illuminated in climate control or powertrain control module (no MIL for some vehicles)
- Intermittent loss of A/C until vehicle restarted or wiring left undisturbed
What to check
- Obtain freeze frame/fault occurrence info with a scan tool; confirm P0EC1 is current or stored
- Visually inspect sensor location (evaporator or refrigerant line area) and connector for corrosion, damage, contamination, or loose pins
- Inspect wiring harness for chafing, heat damage, or pinched sections along route between sensor and A/C control module
- With ignition ON, backprobe sensor connector and verify reference voltage (usually 5 V) and ground presence at the harness connector
- Using a scan tool, monitor live data for refrigerant temperature B signal while warming/cooling the sensor area (wrap with ice/warm cloth) to see if value changes plausibly
- Check for short to battery or ground with an ohmmeter/voltmeter (unplug connector first where applicable)
Signal parameters
- Sensor type commonly a thermistor (NTC): resistance decreases as temperature increases
- Typical signal range (module input): approximately 0.1–4.8 V across operating range (varies by manufacturer)
- At moderate ambient temperatures (≈20–25 °C) expect roughly mid-scale voltage (~2.0–3.0 V) — consult vehicle service data for exact values
- Open circuit: voltage may read near reference rail or vehicle-specific fault voltage; short to ground: near 0 V; short to battery: near reference/battery voltage
Diagnostic algorithm
- Read and record freeze frame data, confirmed DTCs and the number of occurrences using a capable scan tool.
- Visually inspect sensor B, mounting area and connector for damage, moisture intrusion, corrosion or loose terminals. Repair or clean as needed.
- With connector disconnected, check for continuity to control module pins and for short to ground or battery on the harness (ohmmeter/voltmeter).
- Reconnect and backprobe while monitoring with a scan tool: verify reference supply voltage (usually 5 V), sensor signal voltage, and ground integrity with ignition ON and A/C system enabled.
- If available, measure sensor resistance at known ambient temperatures and compare to OEM specification. Apply a cold or warm source (ice slurry / warm cloth) to verify resistance/voltage response changes smoothly.
- If wiring and connectors test OK but sensor signal is out of specification, replace sensor B. If sensor replacement does not clear fault, suspect wiring intermittent or A/C control module failure and perform harness repair or module testing per manufacturer procedures.
- After repair, clear DTCs and perform functional test: run A/C system through different operating conditions to confirm the code does not return and that system performance is restored.
Likely causes
- Damaged or contaminated sensor connector
- Broken or chafed harness between sensor and A/C control module
- Sensor element failed (thermistor out of specification)
- Short to battery or ground at wiring near condenser/evaporator area
Fault status
Status
A/C Refrigerant Temperature Sensor B Circuit — control module detected an open/short/out_of_range signal from refrigerant temperature sensor B. May cause A/C control to alter compressor operation or disable automatic climate functions.
Repair difficulty: Medium
Diagnostic time: 0.5-2.0 hours
Workshop Manuals
Available brands with manuals
2
AUDI 11
6-speed manual gearbox 0B1, front-wheel drive — Workshop Manual (Edition 05.2014)
Workshop Manual199,00 UAH
Audi A3 (1997) – 1.6L 4-cylinder (2‑valve) Engine Mechanical Components Service Manual (AEH, AKL, APF) – Edition 07.2002
Workshop Manual199,00 UAH
AUDI A3 (2004) Workshop Manual — 2.0L FSI Turbo (4‑cyl, 4‑valve) Engine, Mechanics — Edition 03.2017
Workshop Manual199,00 UAH
Audi A3 2004 — Electrical System (Workshop Manual, Edition 02.2018)
Workshop Manual199,00 UAH
Audi A4 / A4 Cabriolet – 4.2 l V8 (5‑valve, timing chains) – Workshop Manual (Mechanics) – Edition 04.2007
Workshop Manual199,00 UAH
Audi A4 / A4 Cabriolet — Auxiliary Heater Workshop Manual (Edition 08.2004)
Workshop Manual199,00 UAH
Audi A4 / A4 Cabriolet (1.8T 4‑cyl turbo) — Motronic Injection & Ignition System Service Manual (Edition 01.2015)
Workshop Manual199,00 UAH
Audi A8 (2003) — Electrical System Workshop Manual (Edition 08.2014)
Workshop Manual199,00 UAH
Audi Q4 e-tron (Type F4) - Self-study Programme SSP 685
Workshop Manual199,00 UAH
Audi Q8 (2018) — Electrical System Workshop Manual (Edition 05.2019)
Workshop Manual199,00 UAH
Audi Servicing Manual — 7‑Speed Dual Clutch Transmission 0CJ / 0CL / 0CK / 0DN / 0DP / 0HL (Edition 05.2018)
Workshop Manual199,00 UAH
LAND ROVER 3
Land Rover Defender 300Tdi — Workshop Manual (1996 model year)
Workshop Manual199,00 UAH
Land Rover Defender Workshop Manual Supplement & Body Repair Manual (1999 & 2002 MY)
Workshop Manual199,00 UAH
Land Rover Range Rover — Electrical Library (LRL 0453ENG, 2002)
Workshop Manual199,00 UAH
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