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DTC codes / P22xx · Fuel and air metering (injector circuits) / P222E

P222EBarometric Pressure Sensor B Circuit Intermittent/Erratic

P222E indicates that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected an intermittent or erratic signal from the barometric pressure sensor B circuit, which is used to measure atmospheric pressure for fuel and boost calculations. The PCM sets this code when the sensor voltage momentarily drops out, spikes, or becomes inconsistent beyond a calibrated time window, rather than failing completely.

SystemPowertrain
Code typeGeneric (all makes)
SeverityMedium
Fix difficultyIntermediate
AreaFuel and air metering (injector circuits)

Symptoms you may notice

  • Illumination of the check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms.
  • Rough idle or hesitation during acceleration, especially at high altitudes.
  • Poor fuel economy or rich/lean fuel mixture complaints.
  • Intermittent stalling or surging while driving.
  • Reduced engine performance or limp mode in some vehicles.
  • Altitude-related driveability issues that appear only in mountainous terrain.

Common causes, most likely first

  1. Loose, corroded, or damaged electrical connector at the barometric pressure sensor.
  2. Chafed or intermittently shorted wiring in the sensor circuit, often near sharp edges or heat sources.
  3. Failing barometric pressure sensor B that produces erratic voltage when exposed to vibration or temperature swings.
  4. Poor ground connection for the sensor or PCM, causing reference voltage fluctuations.
  5. Water intrusion into the sensor or connector, leading to intermittent signal loss.
  6. Faulty PCM driver circuit, though this is less common than wiring or sensor issues.

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Inspect the barometric pressure sensor B connector for looseness, corrosion, or water intrusion and clean or repair as needed.
  2. Perform a wiggle test on the sensor wiring harness while monitoring live data to reproduce the intermittent signal.
  3. Check the sensor reference voltage and ground circuits with a multimeter, looking for drops or spikes during vibration.
  4. Compare barometric pressure sensor B readings with sensor A or a known-good source at key-on and during driving.
  5. Replace the barometric pressure sensor B if live data shows erratic values that do not correlate with actual atmospheric pressure.
  6. Repair or replace any damaged wiring or connectors identified during testing, then clear the code and verify the repair with a road test.
  7. If all external circuits test good, consult factory service information for PCM diagnostics and possible reprogramming or replacement.

Intermittent Baro Sensor Faults Often Misdiagnosed

  • A barometric pressure sensor that fails intermittently may test perfectly when the engine is cold, so always monitor live data during a test drive that includes vibration and temperature changes.
  • Many technicians replace the sensor only to find the real cause is a chafed wire behind the engine block that shorts only when the engine torques under load.
  • This code can be set by a poor ground shared with other sensors, so checking ground integrity at the chassis and engine block is a critical step that is often skipped.
  • Altitude changes during normal driving can mimic an erratic signal, so verify that the sensor reading tracks actual barometric pressure smoothly rather than jumping in steps.
  • A failing barometric pressure sensor can cause fuel trim shifts that set mixture-related codes, so always address P222E before chasing secondary fuel system faults.

Can I keep driving with P222E?

The vehicle is generally safe to drive short distances because the fault is intermittent, but avoid sustained high-speed driving or heavy towing until repaired, as erratic barometric pressure data can cause poor fuel economy and reduced performance.

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.

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