DTC B2A5B13 indicates an open signal circuit in the Passenger Side Floor Vent Temperature Sensor — Seal U
DTC B2A5B13 indicates an open signal circuit in the Passenger Side Floor Vent Temperature Sensor.
This sensor typically uses a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor and mounts at the passenger-side air-conditioning duct outlet.
It monitors the footwell outlet air temperature in real time and provides closed-loop control feedback for the dual-zone or multi-zone automatic air-conditioning system.
When the ECU detects the sensor signal voltage continuously exceeding the calibrated threshold (typically corresponding to infinite resistance or >100kΩ), it sets an open circuit fault.
This fault prevents the air-conditioning controller from reading the actual passenger-side outlet air temperature and may trigger a fail-safe mode.
The system may disable the independent passenger-side temperature control, force a default temperature (e.g., 24℃), or operate solely based on the driver-side setting.
This severely impacts occupant comfort but does not directly affect the vehicle powertrain or safety systems.
- 1Internal open circuit in the sensor body: NTC thermistor element aging, internal dry solder joints, or vibration-induced lead breakage, resulting in an infinite resistance reading at room temperature.
- 2Wiring harness connector fault: Loose connection, backed-out terminals, water ingress/oxidation, or poor contact at the mating connector between the front passenger side floor wiring harness and the body wiring harness (usually located under the front passenger seat or near the A-pillar).
- 3Physical wiring harness damage: Long-term chafing causes copper wire breakage in the internal instrument panel wiring harness at the air flap actuator interference point, or in the floor wiring harness at the seat slide rails.
- 4ECU detection circuit fault: Damaged sampling resistor or ADC channel in the air conditioning controller's internal signal acquisition circuit (relatively rare).
- 5Improper modification or repair: Fixing screws pierced the wiring harness when installing aftermarket front passenger seat heating or floor sound insulation, or failure to correctly restore the wiring harness routing after previous dashboard repairs.
- 1Fault confirmation and freeze frame analysis: Use VDS or X431 to read the DTC freeze frame. Record the ambient temperature, air outlet mode, and sensor voltage values when the fault occurred. Determine whether the fault is continuous (current code) or intermittent (history code).
- 2Visual and physical inspection: Check the front passenger footwell air duct temperature sensor connector (usually located on the right side or below the air duct) for looseness. Inspect the pins for green oxidation, backed-out pins, or deformation. Check the floor wiring harness for pinching by the seat or signs of water ingress.
- 3Sensor body resistance measurement: Disconnect the sensor connector and use a multimeter to measure the resistance across the sensor terminals (standard value at 25°C is approximately 2.0-3.0 kΩ; resistance decreases as temperature increases). If the reading displays infinity (OL) or a very high value (>1 MΩ), replace the temperature sensor (part number usually HE-8116400 or similar).
- 4Harness continuity and insulation test: Measure the harness resistance between the sensor connector and the corresponding air conditioning ECU pin (should be <1Ω). Inspect the mating connector between the floor harness and body harness. Measure the insulation resistance of the signal wire to ground and to power to eliminate short circuit risks.
- 5Reference voltage and signal check: Turn the ignition ON. Measure the sensor supply voltage without disconnecting the connector (normal: 5V ± 0.25V). The signal wire voltage must vary between 0.5V and 4.5V with temperature. If the voltage is 5V (full reference voltage), check the wiring for an open circuit.
- 6Repair verification: After repairing or replacing the faulty component, clear the fault code. Start the air conditioning system and switch to 'footwell' mode. Adjust the temperature setting and observe the data stream to verify the 'front passenger footwell temperature' value changes normally with the outlet temperature. Perform a 10-minute road test to confirm the fault does not recur.
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