P0106 means Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Range/Performance. The MAP sensor reading is out of the range the computer expects for the current engine speed and throttle position. 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 P0106 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.
P0106 symptoms
- Rough idle or hesitation
- Poor fuel economy or black smoke
- Hard starting
Common causes of P0106
- Vacuum leak or a cracked MAP sensor hose
- Faulty MAP sensor
- Wiring or connector problems
- Mechanical problems that change manifold vacuum, such as a valve or timing fault
How to diagnose P0106
- Check the MAP hose (if fitted) and look for vacuum leaks
- Compare the MAP reading with key on, engine off against barometric pressure
- Watch MAP at idle and under load
- Inspect wiring
Can you drive with P0106?
Often drivable, but fueling and boost control can suffer. On boosted engines repair it before hard driving.
P0106 tips
With the key on and the engine off, the MAP sensor should read close to barometric pressure, about 100 kPa (29 to 30 inches of mercury) near sea level and less at altitude. A reading far from that with the engine off points at the sensor or its wiring. On boosted engines, a split MAP hose also upsets boost control.
Will P0106 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 P0106 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 |
|---|---|
| P0101 | Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0171 | System Too Lean (Bank 1) |
| P0299 | Turbocharger/Supercharger A Underboost Condition |
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.
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