Faulty intake air temperature sensor on bank 2; Damaged, chafed or corroded wiring between the sensor and the control unit (open circuit, short to earth or short to voltage); Loose, corroded or contaminated sensor connector terminals; Water, oil or dirt contamination around the sensor or its connector; Poor reference voltage or earth supply to the sensor circuit; Fault in the engine control unit's sensor input circuit.

P00AA

Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Bank 2.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
Medium severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
0: Defined bySAE, the same on every car
0: AreaFuel and air metering, auxiliary emission controls
AA: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P00AA is the generic code for a fault in the Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 circuit on Bank 2. The engine control unit has seen a signal from this sensor that is outside the expected range, or an implausible reading compared with other temperature data. The generic definition does not say whether the fault is a high or low signal, so check the live data and any related codes. Which sensor is 'Bank 2 Sensor 1' and where it sits depends on the model and engine.

Symptoms

Check engine light on
Poor or uneven fuel economy
Hesitation or reduced power, especially under load
Rough running or hard starting, particularly when cold
Reduced boost or the engine running in a limited-performance mode on some turbocharged engines

Possible causes

Faulty intake air temperature sensor on bank 2likely
Damaged, chafed or corroded wiring between the sensor and the control unit (open circuit, short to earth or short to voltage)likely
Loose, corroded or contaminated sensor connector terminalslikely
Water, oil or dirt contamination around the sensor or its connectorpossible
Poor reference voltage or earth supply to the sensor circuitpossible
Fault in the engine control unit's sensor input circuitrare

How to diagnose

Read all stored and pending codes and note any other temperature, airflow or boost codes, then review the freeze frame data.
Check the live intake air temperature readings for bank 2 against bank 1 (if fitted) and against ambient or coolant temperature on a cold engine. They should be close together.
Inspect the sensor, its connector and the wiring loom for damage, chafing, heat damage, corrosion or moisture.
Disconnect and reconnect the connector, checking for bent, pushed-back or green-coated terminals and the fit of the terminals.
With the sensor unplugged, check the live data reading: a fixed very low or very high temperature suggests the wiring is open or shorted, while a sensible change suggests the sensor.
Test the sensor circuit for reference voltage, earth and continuity, and for shorts to earth or voltage, using the manufacturer's wiring diagram.
Measure the sensor's resistance at a known temperature and compare it with the manufacturer's specification, as values vary by model.
Check the intake pipework near the sensor for leaks or oil contamination that could affect readings.

How to fix

Replace the bank 2 intake air temperature sensor if its resistance or response is out of specification.
Repair or replace damaged wiring, and fix any open circuit or short found.
Clean, repair or replace the connector and terminals, and fit new seals if moisture has got in.
Restore a good reference voltage or earth supply by repairing the circuit fault found.
Fix any source of oil or water contamination near the sensor.
Only after all else is ruled out and the circuit is proven good, have the control unit tested and repaired or replaced as the manufacturer advises.

Can I keep driving?

Medium severity

The car can usually be driven for a short time, but fuel economy and performance may suffer and the control unit may limit power. Get it checked soon, because a wrong air temperature reading can upset fuelling and, on some engines, boost control.

Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.