Faulty Intake Air Temperature Sensor 3 itself, such as an open or shorted thermistor element; Damaged or corroded wiring and connector pins at the sensor or along the circuit; Chafed, broken, or shorted wire harness between the sensor and the engine control module; Poor electrical connection at the sensor or at the computer, including loose ground; Engine control module internal fault on the sensor input circuit, though this is less common; Air intake system leaks or modifications that expose the sensor to temperatures outside its expected range; Contamination or physical damage to the sensor element from oil, dirt, or debris

DTC codes / P00xx · Fuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls / P00E9

P00E9Intake Air Temperature Sensor 3 Circuit Range/Performance Bank 1

P00E9 means the engine computer has detected an out-of-range or performance problem with the signal from Intake Air Temperature Sensor 3 on Bank 1, a sensor used to measure the temperature of air entering the engine. The computer compares the sensor voltage against expected limits and flags the code when the reading is implausible, stuck, or inconsistent with other temperature inputs.

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 symptoms noticed by the driver
Rough idle or slightly unstable engine operation when the air temperature reading is far from actual
Reduced fuel economy as the computer adjusts fuel delivery based on a faulty temperature signal
Hesitation or stumble during acceleration in some conditions
In rare cases, a no-start or hard-start condition if the sensor signal is completely implausible
Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially when the fault is intermittent

Common causes, most likely first

Faulty Intake Air Temperature Sensor 3 itself, such as an open or shorted thermistor element
Damaged or corroded wiring and connector pins at the sensor or along the circuit
Chafed, broken, or shorted wire harness between the sensor and the engine control module
Poor electrical connection at the sensor or at the computer, including loose ground
Engine control module internal fault on the sensor input circuit, though this is less common
Air intake system leaks or modifications that expose the sensor to temperatures outside its expected range
Contamination or physical damage to the sensor element from oil, dirt, or debris

How to diagnose and fix it

Scan all modules and record freeze-frame data to confirm when and under what conditions the code sets
Visually inspect the sensor, connector, and wiring for damage, corrosion, or loose pins
Measure the sensor resistance with a multimeter and compare it to the manufacturer's temperature-resistance chart
Back-probe the sensor signal and ground circuits at the computer to check for voltage drops or opens
Check for intake air leaks or modifications that could skew the temperature reading
Replace the sensor only after electrical testing confirms it is faulty, then clear the code and verify the repair
If the circuit and sensor test good, diagnose the engine control module input circuit before condemning the computer

Why this code often misleads

A P00E9 can set from a sensor that tests fine at room temperature but fails only when hot or cold, so a resistance check at one temperature is not enough.
Wiring harness damage near hot exhaust components or sharp brackets is a frequent cause that gets missed when technicians replace the sensor first.
The code can be triggered by a plausible but stuck signal, meaning the sensor reads a fixed value that the computer eventually flags as implausible.
Intake air temperature sensor 3 is often a second or third sensor in the intake tract, so its location is not always obvious and must be confirmed with a wiring diagram.
Aftermarket air intake systems can expose the sensor to different airflow and heat, causing a range or performance code without any failed part.

Can I keep driving with P00E9?

You can generally continue driving with this code because the engine computer substitutes a default air temperature value and the vehicle remains drivable. Avoid heavy towing or aggressive driving until the fault is repaired, and address it promptly if you notice rough running or reduced fuel economy.

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.