P0185 — Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Intermittent
Drive with caution — fix soon.
What P0185 means
This code means the fuel temperature sensor 'A' signal is dropping out intermittently rather than failing all the time. These faults are most often caused by a loose or corroded connector, a chafed or partially broken wire, or a sensor that's beginning to fail. Fixes usually involve finding and repairing the intermittent wiring or connector, or replacing the sensor.
Common symptoms
- Check engine light may flicker on and off
- Occasional rough idle or hesitation
- Intermittent slight loss of fuel economy
- Symptoms that come and go unpredictably
- Often runs normally between events
Common causes
- Loose or corroded sensor connector
- Chafed or partially broken wiring
- Intermittent open or short in the circuit
- Sensor beginning to fail intermittently
- Poor ground connection causing signal dropouts
Typical repair cost
$110 – $380
Varies by vehicle and root cause.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with a P0185 code?
Usually yes, since the fault is intermittent and the engine often runs fine. But intermittent problems tend to get worse over time, so it's best to have it diagnosed within a week or two before it becomes a constant fault.
How much does it cost to fix a P0185 code?
Repairs typically cost between $110 and $380. Tracking down an intermittent wiring fault can take extra diagnostic time, while a sensor replacement is a more predictable cost.
Is a P0185 code serious?
It's a moderate code. The intermittent nature usually means the engine still runs, but the inconsistency makes it worth fixing before the connection fully fails and causes more noticeable problems.
Why is an intermittent code harder to fix?
Because the fault only appears sometimes, a technician may not be able to reproduce it on demand. Diagnosing it often involves wiggle-testing connectors and wiring to find the loose or damaged spot causing the dropout.