Open, shorted, loose or damaged wiring or connectors (both sources); with an intermittent code, check connections that could be making on-and-off contact. Faulty fuel temperature sensor, or fuel composition sensor where the two are combined (both sources). Problem with the engine computer (PCM), or a PCM programming error (both sources). Bad intake air temperature sensor or ambient air temperature sensor (OBD-Codes.com only). The sources differ on the list: OBD-Codes.com adds the intake and ambient air temperature sensors, which RepairPal does not mention.

Repair open, shorted, burnt or damaged wiring or connectors in the sensor circuit (both sources). Replace the fuel temperature sensor, or the fuel composition sensor if it's built in, when testing shows it reads wrong (both sources). Fix a faulty intake or ambient air temperature sensor if testing points to it (OBD-Codes.com). Reprogram or replace the engine computer only after the sensor and wiring test good, for example if no reference voltage comes from the computer (OBD-Codes.com).

P0184⛽ Fuel system / Fuel temperature sensorDrive with caution, fix soon

P0184: Fuel Temperature Sensor A Circuit Intermittent (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Q: What does P0184 mean?

P0184 means the engine computer is seeing an intermittent or erratic signal from fuel temperature sensor A or its circuit. Loose or damaged wiring and a faulty fuel temperature sensor are the most common causes. The fuel temperature sensor tells the engine computer how hot the fuel is. OBD-Codes.com says P0184 sets when the computer sees a voltage signal from the fuel temperature sensor or its circuit that is intermittent or erratic, and that most vehicles need several failed ignition cycles before the check engine light comes on. RepairPal's explanation is more general: it says the code sets when the computer detects an implausible signal from the fuel temperature sensor, without explaining the intermittent part of the definition. OBD-Codes.com says fuel temperature sensors are typically built into the fuel composition (flex-fuel) sensor, mounted in the line between the fuel tank and the fuel rail; on those systems the fuel temperature is sent to the computer as the pulse width of a square-wave signal, usually between 1 and 5 milliseconds, with a wider pulse meaning hotter fuel. Where the sensor sits and how it reports varies by make and model. The A refers to one area of the circuit, if the vehicle has more than one fuel temperature sensor. P0180 is the general sensor A circuit code, P0181 is range/performance, P0182 is circuit low and P0183 is circuit high; P0185 to P0189 cover sensor B. It is a generic OBD-II code, and searches show it comes up on Nissan and Ford vehicles, sometimes shown by scan tools as P0184-00 or P0184-60.

Q: Can I keep driving with P0184?

Drive with caution, fix soon. The sources disagree on how serious it is. RepairPal rates P0184 Moderate, meaning it may not threaten safety or drivability right away but should be diagnosed within a reasonable time. OBD-Codes.com says it should be treated as severe because flex-fuel vehicles use fuel temperature to work out fuel delivery. Often there are no obvious symptoms, but don't put off getting it checked, especially on a flex-fuel vehicle.

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Based on 2 cited source(s)

What P0184 means

The fuel temperature sensor tells the engine computer how hot the fuel is. OBD-Codes.com says P0184 sets when the computer sees a voltage signal from the fuel temperature sensor or its circuit that is intermittent or erratic, and that most vehicles need several failed ignition cycles before the check engine light comes on. RepairPal's explanation is more general: it says the code sets when the computer detects an implausible signal from the fuel temperature sensor, without explaining the intermittent part of the definition. OBD-Codes.com says fuel temperature sensors are typically built into the fuel composition (flex-fuel) sensor, mounted in the line between the fuel tank and the fuel rail; on those systems the fuel temperature is sent to the computer as the pulse width of a square-wave signal, usually between 1 and 5 milliseconds, with a wider pulse meaning hotter fuel. Where the sensor sits and how it reports varies by make and model. The A refers to one area of the circuit, if the vehicle has more than one fuel temperature sensor. P0180 is the general sensor A circuit code, P0181 is range/performance, P0182 is circuit low and P0183 is circuit high; P0185 to P0189 cover sensor B. It is a generic OBD-II code, and searches show it comes up on Nissan and Ford vehicles, sometimes shown by scan tools as P0184-00 or P0184-60.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Drive with caution, fix soon

The sources disagree on how serious it is. RepairPal rates P0184 Moderate, meaning it may not threaten safety or drivability right away but should be diagnosed within a reasonable time. OBD-Codes.com says it should be treated as severe because flex-fuel vehicles use fuel temperature to work out fuel delivery. Often there are no obvious symptoms, but don't put off getting it checked, especially on a flex-fuel vehicle.

Common symptoms

Check engine light may be on (both sources; OBD-Codes.com says most vehicles need several failed ignition cycles first)
There may be no obvious symptoms (OBD-Codes.com)
Other fuel composition codes may be stored at the same time (OBD-Codes.com)

Likely causes

Roughly most to least common, based on the sources below. Your vehicle may differ.

Open, shorted, loose or damaged wiring or connectors (both sources); with an intermittent code, check connections that could be making on-and-off contact
Faulty fuel temperature sensor, or fuel composition sensor where the two are combined (both sources)
Problem with the engine computer (PCM), or a PCM programming error (both sources)
Bad intake air temperature sensor or ambient air temperature sensor (OBD-Codes.com only)
The sources differ on the list: OBD-Codes.com adds the intake and ambient air temperature sensors, which RepairPal does not mention

Diagnostic steps you can do

⚠ Before you start

Work on a cool engine, parked on level ground with the parking brake set. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

Read all stored codes and freeze-frame data. Note any other fuel temperature, fuel composition or air temperature sensor codes.
Check for technical service bulletins (TSBs) for your vehicle; OBD-Codes.com says there may be a known fix.
Visually inspect the sensor wiring harness and connector for damaged, burnt or corroded wiring, and repair what you find (OBD-Codes.com).
Clear the codes and drive normally. OBD-Codes.com says that if the computer reaches readiness mode the repair worked; if the code comes back, a fault remains. Gently wiggling the harness while watching live data can help catch an intermittent connection.
With a digital multimeter, check for about 5 volts of reference and a good ground at the sensor connector. If the reference is missing there, check the same circuits at the engine computer connector (OBD-Codes.com).
Test the sensor's resistance against the manufacturer's specification. OBD-Codes.com says to disconnect related control modules before checking circuit resistance.

Typical fixes

Repair open, shorted, burnt or damaged wiring or connectors in the sensor circuit (both sources)
Replace the fuel temperature sensor, or the fuel composition sensor if it's built in, when testing shows it reads wrong (both sources)
Fix a faulty intake or ambient air temperature sensor if testing points to it (OBD-Codes.com)
Reprogram or replace the engine computer only after the sensor and wiring test good, for example if no reference voltage comes from the computer (OBD-Codes.com)

Repair costs vary widely by vehicle, region, parts brand and shop, so we don't quote prices. Get a written estimate after diagnosis.

🛠 When to call a pro

The sensor is on the fuel line or in the fuel system, where working near fuel needs care
Confirming the sensor's reading needs an oscilloscope and an infrared thermometer, which OBD-Codes.com uses to compare the signal with the actual fuel temperature
No reference voltage is coming from the engine computer, which can point to the computer or its programming
Several temperature sensor codes appear together, suggesting a shared wiring or reference-voltage problem

Where to buy

Plain search links. Always match parts to your exact year, make, model and engine.

OBD2 scanners on Amazon Parts at Advance Auto Parts catalog at RockAuto

FAQs

Is P0184 serious?

The sources disagree. RepairPal rates it Moderate, while OBD-Codes.com says to treat it as severe on flex-fuel vehicles because fuel temperature affects fuel delivery. There are often no symptoms, but get it diagnosed rather than ignoring it.

Why does P0184 come and go?

It's an intermittent code, so the fault isn't there all the time. RepairPal notes most codes clear on their own once the problem stops being detected, but if it keeps coming back, check the sensor wiring and connector for loose, corroded or damaged spots before replacing parts.

How much does it cost to fix P0184?

Neither source gives a repair cost. It depends on whether the problem is wiring, the sensor, or something else, and on where the sensor is mounted on your vehicle, so get a diagnosis or a written estimate first.

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-25. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.