Body, generic

B0160 In-Vehicle Temperature Sensor Circuit

Check engine lightUsually off
EmissionsNot relevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

B0160 is not among the publicly available J2012 entries, and no maker publishes it with this meaning; a similar title belongs to B0250. The in-car sensor tells automatic climate control the actual cabin temperature. To read real cabin air it is usually aspirated: Denso's patent US20040016537A1 draws cabin air across the sensor with an aspirator fed by the HVAC case, so air keeps flowing in every mode. Manufacturers use other numbers for this circuit. In GM's Global A system, as in the 2011 Saab 9-5, B0163 covers the passenger compartment sensor with limits of 0.1 and 4.9 V. Older Saab 9-3 models use B0165 when the input drops below 0.2 V (grounded) and B0166 for an open.

Likely causes

Thermistor in the in-car sensor open or shorted
Sensor plug behind the dash or headliner loose or corroded
Signal or reference wire damaged during interior work

Symptoms

  • Automatic climate control overheats or overcools the cabin
  • Blower speed does not settle as the cabin reaches the set temperature

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumDIY possible
Parts and labour€30–250
Time0.5–2 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

in vehicle temperature sensorhvac control module

Related codes

B0250B0164

References: patents.google.com, saabwisonline.com, saabwisonline.com.