P0097
Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Low Bank 1P0097 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Low Bank 1. 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 P0097 means
P0097 is set when the ECM detects a voltage on the Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 (IAT2) circuit that is below the sensor's minimum acceptable threshold — typically below approximately 0.1–0.2 V. Because IAT sensors are NTC thermistors (resistance decreases as temperature rises), a very low circuit voltage normally corresponds to an extremely high temperature. However, in P0097 the ECM has determined the reading is out of the physically possible range, indicating a wiring or sensor fault rather than a genuinely extreme temperature.
The most common cause of a stuck-low signal is an internal short circuit within the IAT2 sensor element itself, or a short to ground somewhere in the signal wire between the sensor and the ECM. When the signal wire is shorted to ground the ECM sees near-zero volts, which it interprets as a temperature exceeding the sensor's measurement range (often above 150 °C / 302 °F). The ECM flags P0097 and may substitute a fixed intake temperature value for fuel and ignition calculations.
IAT2 is located post-intercooler on turbocharged engines (common on VW/Audi 2.0T, Ford EcoBoost, GM LTG platforms) and plays a key role in charge-density correction and intercooler efficiency monitoring. Left unrepaired, P0097 may cause the ECM to over-retard ignition timing or over-enrich fuelling based on the erroneous high-temperature assumption, reducing power and efficiency.
Common causes
Most-frequently reported root causes when P0097 is logged.
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1
Internal short circuit inside the IAT2 sensor element causing it to output near-zero voltage.
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2
Short circuit to ground on the IAT2 signal wire in the harness between the sensor and ECM.
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3
Chafed or pinched wiring allowing the signal wire to contact the chassis or engine block.
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4
Water or coolant intrusion into the sensor connector creating a conductive path to ground.
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5
Corroded or collapsed connector pins causing an unintended low-resistance path.
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6
Sensor connector fully disconnected — an open circuit in the pull-up resistor topology can also produce a low-voltage reading on some platforms.
Symptoms drivers notice
How to diagnose P0097
A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.
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1
Record freeze-frame data with a scan tool; note the IAT2 voltage and temperature displayed when the code was set.
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2
With the engine cold, verify that IAT2 live data reads within a few degrees of ambient — an extreme reading (e.g. above 150 °C) at cold start confirms the circuit fault.
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3
Inspect the IAT2 sensor connector, harness, and any grommets for chafing, moisture ingress, or corrosion.
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4
Backprobe the IAT2 signal wire at the connector with a multimeter (KOEO); a reading near 0 V with the sensor plugged in and the engine cold confirms a short to ground in the circuit.
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5
Disconnect the IAT2 sensor connector — if the voltage now rises to the 5 V reference level, the short is inside the sensor itself (replace the sensor); if it stays near 0 V, the short is in the wiring harness.
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6
Repair confirmed wiring short or replace the sensor, clear codes, and confirm the IAT2 reading tracks normally during a cold-to-warm drive cycle.
Related powertrain codes
Frequently asked questions
Why does a low voltage correspond to a high temperature reading for IAT sensors?
IAT sensors use an NTC (negative temperature coefficient) thermistor: as temperature rises, resistance falls, which reduces the voltage the ECM sees on the signal wire. A shorted or near-zero resistance path therefore presents the ECM with the signature of an extremely hot sensor, well outside the physical range.
Is P0097 the same as a disconnected IAT2 sensor?
Not necessarily. A fully disconnected sensor usually drives the signal line high (near 5 V) via the ECM's internal pull-up resistor, which would set P0098 (circuit high) instead. P0097 specifically requires the signal to be pulled low, pointing to a short to ground in the circuit or inside the sensor.
Can P0097 cause my turbo or engine to be damaged?
Indirectly, yes. If the ECM believes intake air temperature is dangerously high, it may excessively retard ignition timing and reduce boost pressure. While this protects against knock, it can also cause sluggish performance. Prolonged operation on a default substitute temperature can affect long-term fuelling calibration.
How do I confirm the sensor is faulty versus the wiring?
Disconnect the sensor connector. If the signal voltage rises to approximately 5 V after disconnection, the fault is inside the sensor (replace it). If the voltage remains near 0 V with the sensor disconnected, the short to ground is in the harness wiring and must be traced and repaired.
Disabling P0097 in software
RaceTune can permanently disable P0097 — 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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