P0060
HO2S Heater Resistance (Bank 2, Sensor 2)P0060 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: HO2S Heater Resistance (Bank 2, Sensor 2). It is logged by the engine control unit when the powertrain monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.
What P0060 means
Code P0060 is set when the Powertrain Control Module detects that the electrical resistance of the heater element inside the downstream heated oxygen sensor on Bank 2 (the cylinder bank not containing cylinder number 1), Sensor 2 (the sensor located after the catalytic converter), has fallen outside the manufacturer-specified range. The HO2S heater element is critical for rapidly warming the sensor to its minimum operating temperature of approximately 300–350 °C so that it produces an accurate voltage signal as quickly as possible after a cold start. Without a functioning heater, the sensor relies solely on exhaust heat, delaying closed-loop fuel control and causing elevated cold-start emissions. The PCM applies a known voltage to the heater circuit and monitors the resulting current flow; from this it calculates actual resistance. A reading that deviates beyond programmed thresholds — indicating either a broken heater element (very high resistance) or an internal short (very low resistance) — triggers this fault code and illuminates the MIL. Because Sensor 2 is downstream of the catalytic converter, its primary role is monitoring converter efficiency rather than direct fuel trim, so drivability impact is usually limited to worsened cold-start fuel economy.
Common causes
Most-frequently reported root causes when P0060 is logged.
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1
Failed or open-circuit heater element inside the Bank 2 Sensor 2 oxygen sensor
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2
Damaged, corroded, or disconnected wiring harness or connector at the sensor
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3
Blown heater-circuit fuse or burnt fusible link in the supply line
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4
Faulty heater-circuit relay preventing power delivery to the sensor
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5
Water or moisture intrusion into the sensor connector causing corrosion-induced resistance changes
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6
PCM software fault or corrupted calibration data misinterpreting a normal resistance reading
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7
Excessive heat damage to sensor wiring routed too close to exhaust components
Symptoms drivers notice
How to diagnose P0060
A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.
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1
Connect a scan tool, retrieve all stored DTCs and freeze frame data, and note any companion codes (e.g. P0420 catalyst efficiency) that may provide additional context
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2
Visually inspect the Bank 2 Sensor 2 wiring harness from the PCM connector to the sensor, checking for heat damage, chafing against exhaust pipes, or loose/corroded connector pins
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3
Locate and test the oxygen sensor heater fuse (typically 10–15 A) and associated relay using a multimeter; replace any blown fuse and bench-test the relay for proper actuation
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4
Disconnect the sensor connector and use a digital multimeter set to ohms to measure resistance across the two heater element terminals of the sensor; compare the reading to the manufacturer specification (commonly 5–20 Ohms at room temperature); replace the sensor if resistance is out of range or reads open
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5
With the key on and engine off, backprobe the power supply wire at the sensor connector and verify battery voltage (12.4–14.5 V) is present; if absent, trace the fault upstream through the fuse and relay
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6
Clear the fault code and perform a complete drive cycle including a cold start to confirm whether the code resets; if it does, recheck wiring continuity and consider PCM calibration update per any applicable TSBs
Related powertrain codes
Frequently asked questions
Does P0060 affect how the engine runs?
In most cases the impact is subtle. Sensor 2 is downstream of the catalytic converter and monitors converter efficiency rather than controlling the air-fuel mixture directly, so drivability is usually unaffected. The main consequences are a slightly richer cold start, reduced fuel economy, and a potential companion catalyst-efficiency code over time.
Can I fix P0060 by just replacing the oxygen sensor?
The sensor is the most common cause, but always inspect the fuse, relay, and wiring first. Replacing a sensor into a circuit with a corroded connector or blown fuse will not resolve the code and wastes the repair cost.
Which sensor is Bank 2 Sensor 2?
Bank 2 is the cylinder bank that does not contain cylinder number 1. Sensor 2 is the second oxygen sensor in that bank's exhaust path — located after (downstream of) the primary catalytic converter. On V-engines and horizontally-opposed engines, consult a vehicle-specific wiring diagram to locate the exact bung position.
Is P0060 an emissions failure?
Yes. A non-functional heater means the downstream sensor cannot accurately verify catalytic converter efficiency, so the vehicle will likely fail a tailpipe or OBD readiness emissions test. The MIL being illuminated is itself a fail condition in most jurisdictions.
Disabling P0060 in software
RaceTune can permanently disable P0060 — and any other OBD-II diagnostic trouble code — on every ECU family we support. The monitor is disabled inside the ECU itself, so the fault stops being logged: the warning light stays off and the engine never enters limp mode for this code. The change is tied to your exact software version.
Software modifications affect emissions compliance and are not road-legal in many jurisdictions. RaceTune service files are intended for motorsport, off-road, and export use.
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