P010C: Mass or Volume Air Flow Sensor B Circuit Low

Sensor B is a second mass air flow sensor in a second intake path, found on engines with two air filter boxes – for example the Nissan VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6 (where sensor B belongs to bank 2) or GM's 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6. P010C means the signal of sensor B is below its electrical lower limit – the counterpart of P0102. GM's twin-turbo V6 sets it at 400 Hz or less (300 failed out of 375 samples, two trips); Ford's digital sensor B below 1.5 kHz for 5 s. The usual causes are an open or grounded signal wire, a corroded connector, missing supply or failed sensor electronics. The engine continues with a calculated substitute value.

Symptoms

• Check engine light on
• Lack of power, substitute value mode
• Rough idle, hesitation

Most likely causes

• Signal wire of sensor B open or grounded, connector corroded
• Sensor B electronics failed
• Supply or ground of sensor B faulty
• Control module input faulty

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

1. Check the air filter and hoses
2. With the connector unplugged, check whether the signal wire is making contact with ground.
3. Inspect the connector
4. Compare the airflow in live data at idle and while revving
5. Clean the sensor only with a dedicated cleaner
6. Replace the mass air flow sensor if the reading does not follow engine speed

Good to know

• Repair difficulty: easy
• It can trigger limp mode.
• It affects emissions.

What each character of P010C means

• P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
• 0: Generic code: same on every make
• 1: Air and fuel
• 0C: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P010C?

You can drive in moderation. If the engine goes into limp mode, go to a repair shop without passing other vehicles or demanding power.

What causes code P010C?

The most common causes are: signal wire of sensor B open or grounded, connector corroded; sensor B electronics failed; supply or ground of sensor B faulty.

Related codes

• P0102Mass or Volume Air Flow Sensor A Circuit Low
• P010AMass or Volume Air Flow Sensor B Circuit
• P010BMass or Volume Air Flow Sensor B Circuit Range/Performance
• P010DMass or Volume Air Flow Sensor B Circuit High
• P010FMass or Volume Air Flow Sensor A/B Correlation

Sources

• law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
• gsi.ext.gm.com: 18OBDG03A Engine Diagnostics
• fordservicecontent.com: OBD Operations Summary Gasoline 2020 2023

Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.