P0097 means Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Low. The second intake air temperature sensor, often in the intake manifold or after the intercooler, is reading lower voltage than expected, which usually looks like a very hot reading. 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 P0097 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.
P0097 symptoms
- Check engine light
- Rough running or hesitation on some vehicles
- Hard starting in temperature extremes
Common causes of P0097
- Sensor signal wire shorted to ground
- Failed sensor
- Damaged connector or wiring
How to diagnose P0097
- Compare the intake air reading with ambient temperature on a cold engine
- Inspect the sensor connector and wiring
- Check sensor resistance against specification
Can you drive with P0097?
Usually yes, but fuel economy and drivability may suffer.
P0097 tips
A low reading looks like very hot air to the computer; check for a pinched harness near hot engine parts.
Will P0097 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 P0097 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 |
|---|---|
| P0098 | Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit High |
| P0112 | Intake Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Low |
| P0113 | Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High |
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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