Faulty bank 2 intake air temperature sensor, such as an open or shorted thermistor element; Damaged or corroded wiring or connector pins between the sensor and the powertrain control module; Intake air temperature sensor signal circuit shorted to ground or to voltage; High resistance in the sensor ground circuit for bank 2; A stuck or slow-responding sensor that reads plausibly but outside the expected range during key-on engine-off checks; Contamination or physical damage to the sensor element from oil, dirt, or debris in the intake tract; A rare internal fault in the powertrain control module driver circuit for that sensor input

DTC codes / P00xx · Fuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls / P00AB

P00ABIntake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Range/Performance Bank 2

P00AB indicates that the powertrain control module has detected an out-of-range or performance fault in the intake air temperature sensor circuit for bank 2 of the engine. The computer compares the bank 2 intake air temperature signal against expected values and other sensor inputs, and it flags this code when the voltage or calculated temperature falls outside the normal operating window for a calibrated period.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityLow

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaFuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls

Symptoms you may notice

Illumination of the check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms
Rough idle or hesitation when the engine is cold, especially in vehicles that use intake air temperature to trim fuel
Reduced fuel economy as the computer substitutes a default intake air temperature value
Intermittent stalling or poor throttle response during warm-up
A slight increase in emissions or a failed emissions inspection
In rare cases, a noticeable loss of power under heavy load if the fault affects load calculation

Common causes, most likely first

Faulty bank 2 intake air temperature sensor, such as an open or shorted thermistor element
Damaged or corroded wiring or connector pins between the sensor and the powertrain control module
Intake air temperature sensor signal circuit shorted to ground or to voltage
High resistance in the sensor ground circuit for bank 2
A stuck or slow-responding sensor that reads plausibly but outside the expected range during key-on engine-off checks
Contamination or physical damage to the sensor element from oil, dirt, or debris in the intake tract
A rare internal fault in the powertrain control module driver circuit for that sensor input

How to diagnose and fix it

Connect a scan tool and record the bank 2 intake air temperature reading at key-on engine-off, then compare it to ambient temperature and to bank 1 if equipped
Inspect the sensor connector and wiring harness for corrosion, chafing, or loose pins, and repair any damage found
Measure resistance across the sensor terminals and compare it to the manufacturer's temperature-resistance chart
Back-probe the signal circuit at the sensor and at the powertrain control module to check for voltage drops or shorts
Check the sensor ground circuit for excessive resistance using a voltage drop test under load
Replace the bank 2 intake air temperature sensor if resistance testing confirms it is out of specification
Clear the code and perform a road test with live data to confirm the intake air temperature reading tracks ambient and engine bay temperature correctly

What the intake air temperature code hides

Many vehicles share one sensor housing for intake air temperature and mass airflow on bank 2, so a faulty mass airflow sensor can set this code even when the temperature element itself tests good.
A bank 2 intake air temperature sensor that reads only a few degrees off specification may never trigger a drivability complaint but will still set P00AB during the key-on engine-off rationality check.
Technicians often replace the sensor without checking the ground circuit, and a high-resistance ground on that circuit will make a new sensor read incorrectly and set the code again.
On engines with two intake air temperature sensors, a P00AB can be set by a bank 1 sensor that is biased and skews the comparison logic, so both banks deserve a live-data review.
Aftermarket air intake systems that relocate or disturb the sensor can cause this code by exposing the element to heat sources it was not calibrated for.

Can I keep driving with P00AB?

The vehicle is generally safe to drive with P00AB because the computer substitutes a default intake air temperature value, but avoid heavy towing or sustained high-load driving until the fault is repaired. If the check engine light begins flashing or you notice rough running, stop driving and diagnose the fault promptly.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.