Generic fault code
P007A — Charge air cooler temperature sensor (bank 1), circuit: malfunction
The control unit stores code P007A when it detects this fault: “Charge air cooler temperature sensor (bank 1), circuit: malfunction”.
Indicative severity: MediumFuel and air metering
Reviewed by Daniel Morales, founder of Reprorace SL, on
What does code P007A mean?
The engine measures the incoming air and meters the fuel so the mixture is right; the throttle, the accelerator pedal and the turbo are here too. A fault usually shows as higher fuel use, jerking, lack of power or hard starting.
- System
- P · Powertrain
- Area
- Fuel and air metering · Car system: Turbo
- Type
- Generic (SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6): the same meaning on every make
- Indicative severity
- Medium. Diagnose soon: it may raise emissions or consumption, or trigger limp-home mode.
What usually causes code P007A?
- Faulty, aged or drifting sensor
The most likely causes come first. Only a check on the car confirms which one is yours.
What are the symptoms of code P007A?
- Lack of power, especially as revs rise
- Limp-home mode: the engine limits its power
- Whistling, hissing or black smoke
These are the usual symptoms of this kind of fault: not all of them always appear, and sometimes you notice nothing.
Can I keep driving with code P007A?
With care, and not for long. You can take the car to a workshop, ideally without long trips or heavy loads, and without putting it off: fuel use or emissions may rise and the car may go into limp-home mode (less power). If the light flashes, a red warning light comes on, the temperature rises or you notice a loss of power, noises or smoke, stop as soon as it is safe.
This is guidance only: only someone who checks the car can say whether it is safe to drive.
An indicative description of the code's generic meaning. Each manufacturer may give it a different meaning, conditions or tests: always follow its service information and your workshop's advice.
What you can do yourself
For this kind of fault
With the engine cold, check that the turbo and intercooler hoses are not loose, split or oily. Until it is fixed, avoid heavy loads and steep climbs.
Read the code and keep the report: with an ECO-LITE in the OBD socket you see it on your phone or computer, with the data captured when the fault happened.
Look for anything obvious: a loose connector, a disconnected hose, a fuel cap not closed properly or a low fluid level. Do not take apart anything you do not know.
Clear the code only after writing it down or after the repair. Clearing turns the light off, but it also deletes the freeze-frame data and the readiness monitors used at the inspection.
Drive normally for a few days and read the codes again. If the code comes back, the fault is still there: book the workshop and bring the report.
Read your car's fault codes on your phone
With an ECO-LITE in the OBD socket you see the codes in your account, with the data captured when the fault happened, and your workshop can check them remotely, always with your permission.
Related codes
- P006FTurbocharger/supercharger boost control A, supply voltage circuit: signal high
- P007BCharge air cooler temperature sensor (bank 1), circuit: range/performance
- P007CCharge air cooler temperature sensor (bank 1), circuit: signal low
- P007DCharge air cooler temperature sensor (bank 1), circuit: signal high
- P007ECharge air cooler temperature sensor (bank 1), circuit: intermittent/erratic
- P007FCharge air cooler temperature sensor (banks 1 and 2): correlation fault
P00xx codes: fuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls
In the glossary
Read more: Remote OBD diagnostics: what it is, how it works and what it can't do