Technical Description of OBD-II Trouble Code
Circuit Bank 1 for Charge Air Cooler Temperature Sensor
What does that signify?
This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a generic powertrain code that applies to OBD-II equipped vehicles with a charge air cooler temperature sensor (Chevy, Ford, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Audi, VW, etc.). Although it is a generic code, the specific repair steps may vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle.
A turbocharger functions as an air pump that forcefully pushes air into the engine. It consists of two sections: the turbine and the compressor.
The turbine is connected to the exhaust manifold and is driven by exhaust gases. The compressor is attached to the air intake. Both sections are linked by a shaft, so when the turbine spins, the compressor also spins, allowing intake air to enter the engine. Cooler air results in a denser intake charge, leading to increased power. For this reason, many engines are equipped with a charge air cooler, also known as an intercooler. Charge air coolers can be either air-to-liquid or air-to-air coolers, but their purpose is the same – to cool the air entering the intake.
A charge air cooler temperature sensor (CACT) is used to measure the temperature and density of the air entering or exiting the charge air cooler. This information is sent to the powertrain control module (PCM), where it is compared to the intake air temperature (and sometimes the engine coolant temperature and exhaust gas recirculation temperature) to assess the performance of the charge air cooler. The PCM sends a reference voltage (usually 5 volts) through an internal resistor and measures the voltage to determine the charge air cooler temperature.
Note: In some cases, the CACT is integrated into the boost pressure sensor.
Code P007A is triggered when the PCM detects a malfunction in the circuit of the charge air cooler temperature sensor for bank 1. In engines with multiple banks, bank 1 refers to the bank of cylinders that includes the #1 cylinder.
Code Severity & Symptoms
These codes have a moderate severity level.
Symptoms of a P007A engine code may include:
Causes
Possible causes for this P007A code include:
Diagnostic and Repair Procedures
Begin by visually inspecting the charge air cooler temperature sensor and its corresponding wiring. Look for loose connections, damaged wiring, etc. Also, visually inspect the charge air cooler and its ducting. If any damage is found, repair it as necessary, clear the code, and check if it reappears.
Next, check for any technical service bulletins (TSBs) related to this issue. If no relevant TSBs are found, proceed with step-by-step diagnosis of the system.
The following is a general procedure, as the testing for this code varies between vehicles. To accurately test the system, refer to the manufacturer’s diagnostic flow chart.
Check the circuit
