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P00C7: Intake Air Pressure Measurement System – Multiple Sensors Not Plausible

Severity: medium

What it means: Your engine has several pressure sensors that should agree with each other: the manifold pressure (MAP) sensor, the barometric (outside air pressure) sensor and, on turbo engines, the boost sensor. P00C7 means their readings don't line up. On GM engines the cause can be one bad sensor (often the MAP sensor) or something like ice, water or a leak that makes one sensor read wrong.

Safe to drive? Usually drivable, but you may get low power or hesitation. Get it checked soon, and don't rely on full power for passing.

Common symptoms

Likely causes, ranked

  1. Ice or water in the charge air cooler or intake (turbo engines in deep cold)Shop
  2. Faulty MAP sensorDIY or shop
  3. Contaminated charge air bypass valveShop
  4. Vacuum or boost leak, or sensor wiring problemDIY or shop
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Vehicle-specific notes

  • 2015–2018 Chevrolet Trax: GM bulletin 16-NA-405 lists this code (with P0299, P2227 and P00C7) on the 1.4L turbo Trax and Encore when ice builds up in the crankcase vent (PCV) tube or the charge air cooler in very cold weather (0°F or below). Owners on the Trax Forum describe low power that goes away once the engine warms up. Read the full answer · Source

What it means: Your engine has several pressure sensors that should agree with each other: the manifold pressure (MAP) sensor, the barometric (outside air pressure) sensor and, on turbo engines, the boost sensor. P00C7 means their readings don't line up. On GM engines the cause can be one bad sensor (often the MAP sensor) or something like ice, water or a leak that makes one sensor read wrong.

Severity: Medium. Safe to drive? Usually drivable, but you may get low power or hesitation. Get it checked soon, and don't rely on full power for passing.

DIY or shop?

Swapping a MAP sensor is often an easy DIY once a shop or scan tool points to it. Finding icing or a stuck bypass valve is better left to a shop.

Before you replace parts

  1. Read all stored codes. Note any MAP, baro or boost sensor codes stored with it.
  2. Check your VIN for bulletins and special coverage. GM has bulletins for both cold-weather icing and faulty MAP sensors.
  3. Check vacuum and boost hoses for leaks and the sensor plugs for corrosion.
  4. Clear the code only after a repair, then confirm it stays off.

Safety / mechanic note

Verify with a mechanic. Reduced power can make merging and passing unsafe. A code points to a circuit or system, not always a specific part.

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Sources