P0182

P0182 means the fuel temperature sensor A signal voltage has dropped below the low threshold (typically under 0.2V), which on an NTC thermistor maps to an impossibly hot fuel temperature reading — the ECM interprets it as either a shorted-to-ground signal wire or an internally shorted sensor element. Normal fuel temp sits in the 60-200F range with the sensor voltage moving from roughly 3.0V cold to roughly 0.8V hot; a voltage stuck near 0V at all conditions means the signal element has shorted internally, the signal wire is shorted to chassis ground somewhere along the harness, or the connector is bridged with fuel/water contamination. Cheapest-first ladder: unplug the sensor connector with the key on and watch the scan tool — a healthy ECM circuit should bias the signal wire to 4.8-5.0V (which the ECM reads as -40F, the open-circuit fault end); if the voltage stays near 0V with the sensor unplugged, the signal wire is shorted to ground between the connector and the ECM and needs continuity testing pin-to-pin against chassis. If the voltage rises to 5V with the sensor unplugged, the sensor itself is shorted internally and a new sensor (or pump module if integrated) clears it. Verify the sensor ground returns to chassis under 0.1V drop. Expensive-misdiagnosis caveat: a fuel-soaked connector will conduct between pins and mimic a shorted sensor identically — the fuel itself bridges the signal-to-ground gap; always pull the connector, blow it dry, dielectric-grease the pins, and re-test before condemning the sensor.

Vehicle-specific patterns: 2004-2010 Ford F-150 FFV with the 4.6L/5.4L flex-fuel and Explorer FFV throws P0182 from the in-tank fuel-temp sensor element shorting internally after E85 corrosion attacks the sender housing; the fix is the full fuel-pump module. 2008-2014 RAM 2500/3500 6.7L Cummins throws P0182 from harness chafe at the fuel-rail bracket where the signal wire grounds against the frame. 2006-2012 GM Impala FFV / Tahoe FFV throws P0182 from connector flooding at the tank-mounted sensor (rainwater infiltration past a worn grommet). 2005-2010 Chrysler Sebring FFV with the 2.7L throws P0182 from internal sensor failure after long-term E85 duty. Estimated repair: $120 to $750.