Open or broken wire in the intake air temperature sensor signal circuit; Corroded, loose, or disconnected electrical connector at the sensor; Failed intake air temperature sensor with an open internal thermistor; Damaged or chafed wiring harness between the sensor and the powertrain control module; Poor ground connection for the sensor circuit; Faulty powertrain control module, though this is rare

DTC codes / P00xx · Fuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls / P00AD

P00ADIntake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High Bank 2

Q: What does code P00AD mean?

Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High Bank 2. P00AD indicates that the powertrain control module has detected an abnormally high voltage signal on the intake air temperature sensor circuit for bank 2, which is the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder number one. The sensor's internal thermistor normally varies resistance with temperature, and a high voltage reading typically means the circuit is open or the sensor is reporting an unrealistically cold intake air charge.

P00AD indicates that the powertrain control module has detected an abnormally high voltage signal on the intake air temperature sensor circuit for bank 2, which is the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder number one. The sensor's internal thermistor normally varies resistance with temperature, and a high voltage reading typically means the circuit is open or the sensor is reporting an unrealistically cold intake air charge.

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 poor driveability when the engine is cold
Reduced fuel economy as the computer enriches the mixture based on a false cold-air reading
Hesitation or stumble during acceleration
In rare cases, a no-start condition or stalling when the engine is cold
Possible default activation of the cooling fan to a continuous high speed

Common causes, most likely first

Open or broken wire in the intake air temperature sensor signal circuit
Corroded, loose, or disconnected electrical connector at the sensor
Failed intake air temperature sensor with an open internal thermistor
Damaged or chafed wiring harness between the sensor and the powertrain control module
Poor ground connection for the sensor circuit
Faulty powertrain control module, though this is rare

How to diagnose and fix it

Inspect the sensor connector and wiring for corrosion, looseness, or physical damage, and repair as needed
Measure resistance across the intake air temperature sensor terminals and compare to the manufacturer's temperature-resistance chart
Check for continuity and voltage drop on the signal and ground circuits between the sensor and the powertrain control module
Verify the sensor's reference voltage at the connector with the key on and engine off
Replace the intake air temperature sensor if it is open or out of specification
Repair any open or shorted wiring in the harness and clear the diagnostic trouble code
Test-drive the vehicle to confirm the code does not return and monitor live intake air temperature data

Why bank 2 intake air temperature codes mislead

Many vehicles use a single intake air temperature sensor shared across both banks, so a bank 2 code often points to a wiring or connector issue rather than a separate sensor failure.
A high voltage reading can be caused by a poor ground at the sensor, which technicians frequently overlook when replacing the sensor itself.
The intake air temperature sensor is sometimes integrated into the mass airflow sensor, so a bank 2 code may require inspecting the shared housing and its connector.
After a repair, the powertrain control module may need several drive cycles before the monitor runs and the code clears, so do not assume a recurring code means the fix failed.
Extreme cold weather can push the sensor signal near the high limit, but a true P00AD will set even after the engine warms up if the circuit is open.

Can I keep driving with P00AD?

The vehicle is generally safe to drive with this code because the powertrain control module substitutes a default intake air temperature value, but you should avoid heavy acceleration and long trips until the fault is repaired to prevent poor fuel economy and cold-start driveability issues.

Tools that help

Tools we recommend are in the Auto Veteran shop on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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