P0533 means A/C Refrigerant Pressure Sensor A Circuit High. The A/C pressure sensor is reading higher voltage than expected, which can look like dangerously high refrigerant pressure. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0533 means
Most engine sensors receive a 5-volt reference and return a signal between roughly 0 and 5 volts. Codes ending in circuit high or circuit low usually point to an electrical fault: an open circuit, a short or an unplugged connector. Range/performance codes mean a signal is present but disagrees with what the computer expects from the other sensors, which more often points to a dirty sensor, an air leak or a mechanical problem.
P0533 symptoms
- A/C compressor shut off
- Cooling fans running constantly on some vehicles
- Check engine light
Common causes of P0533
- Open ground or signal circuit
- Failed pressure sensor
- System overcharged or condenser blocked
- Cooling fan not running
How to diagnose P0533
- Check actual pressure with gauges
- Check the condenser and cooling fan
- Check sensor wiring
Can you drive with P0533?
Yes; the A/C may not work.
P0533 tips
A blocked condenser or a fan that is not running can push pressure genuinely high; check them before replacing the sensor.
Will P0533 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0533 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0532 | A/C Refrigerant Pressure Sensor A Circuit Low |
| P0480 | Cooling Fan 1 Control Circuit |
| P0481 | Cooling Fan 2 Control Circuit |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
Sensor codes are usually fixed with a sensor, a connector, wiring or a leak repair rather than major parts. If testing turns up internal engine trouble instead, see how to tell if an engine is blown and compare engines by code on our engines page.
Shipping is a flat $80.00 per order to US addresses, with 15-day free returns. Questions? Ask a parts specialist.