P00A6

What it means

P00A6 means the engine control unit has judged the signal from intake air temperature sensor 2 on bank 2 to be implausible, even though the circuit is not necessarily open or shorted. It usually sets when the reading does not agree with other temperature data, such as the other intake air temperature sensor, ambient or coolant temperature after a cold soak, or does not change as expected as the engine runs. The exact sensor position (for example before or after the charge cooler) depends on the model and engine.

Symptoms

• Engine warning light on
• Slightly rough running or hesitation
• Reduced power or the car going into a limited-performance mode
• Poor fuel economy
• Hard starting or uneven idle in some cases
• Boost or fuelling feeling different, on turbocharged engines

Possible causes

• Faulty or drifting intake air temperature sensor 2 (bank 2) giving a slow or inaccurate readinglikely
• Damaged, corroded or loose connector terminals at the sensorlikely
• Wiring fault such as chafing, high resistance or a poor earth or reference feed on the sensor circuitpossible
• Sensor fitted in a location affected by heat soak, an air leak or a damaged intake or charge air pipe, giving a genuinely odd readingpossible
• Heat or contamination affecting the sensor, such as oil in the charge air pathpossible
• Fault in the engine control unit input circuit or a software issue, if a known calibration update exists for the modelrare

How to diagnose

1. Read all stored codes and freeze frame data, noting engine temperature, load and ambient conditions when the code set, and check for other temperature sensor codes.
2. Look at the sensor and its connector for damage, water, oil, corrosion, bent terminals and a secure fit, and check the intake pipework nearby for leaks or damage.
3. With the engine fully cold after a long soak, compare live data from intake air temperature sensor 2 with sensor 1, coolant temperature and ambient temperature; they should be close.
4. Watch the live reading while warming the engine and driving; it should respond smoothly and sensibly, without jumping or sticking.
5. Check the sensor resistance against the manufacturer's temperature table for the model, with the sensor unplugged.
6. Check the wiring for continuity, shorts and unwanted resistance between the sensor and control unit, and check the reference voltage and earth at the connector.
7. Check for technical service bulletins or calibration updates for the specific engine, as procedures vary by model.
8. Clear the code, road test and recheck live data to confirm the fault does not return.

How to fix

• Replace intake air temperature sensor 2 if its resistance or response is outside specification.
• Clean, repair or replace the connector and terminals if corroded or loose.
• Repair or replace damaged wiring on the sensor circuit.
• Repair air leaks or damaged intake and charge air components that affect the reading.
• Fix any oil or contamination source affecting the sensor, then replace the sensor if it has been damaged.
• Apply a manufacturer calibration update only if one is published to address this fault on that engine.

Can I keep driving?

Nearby codes

• P00A5GenericIntake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Bank 2
• P00A7GenericIntake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Low Bank 2