What Is the P0097 Code?
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The P0097 diagnostic trouble code indicates an issue with your vehicle’s intake air temperature sensor. This intake air sensor calculates the amount and density of the air coming in through your car’s intake and measures resistance. The sensor regulates the amount of air the engine receives to inject the appropriate amount of fuel your car needs at any given time. This amount may vary depending on outside temperature, so your car will not fail to start on cold days or overheat on hot days. All this is then fed to the powertrain control module, which oversees all engine functions.
Should the volume air flow circuit or any other valve control circuit within this system be faulty, this can later cause issues with your engine. This is just one of many generic powertrain codes that can activate whenever your combustion temperatures are off.
Typically, code P0097 will let you know that the intake air temperature sensor 2 (IAT2) input is lower than the normal sensor range. The specific OBD-II generic code can provide insight into what issue your IAT2 is facing, including if the air input is lower or higher than a normal reading.
Not all car manufacturers will use the P0097 code and may use additional codes or definitions. Read your repair manual to find the appropriate error code for this issue.
You may also be interested in P0098 Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit High Bank 1
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What Are the Symptoms of a P0097 Code?
Some symptoms you can see when the standard P0097 fault code is active are: check engine light flashing, reduced fuel economy, difficulty accelerating, lack of power in the engine, engine running either lean or rich depending on engine temperature, or other issues with the engine control module. However, these symptoms are subtle, and you will usually only notice when the Check Engine Light is on.
What Are Some Causes of a P0097 Code?
The causes behind this error code often have to deal with a switch circuit failure in the sensor, wiring, or engine, contamination from engine oil, or even missing data for engine coolant (which can result in leaks).
How Serious Is the P0097 Code?
This code can be quite serious, so it is not advisable to ignore them for long. Switch circuit failure in your intake air temperature sensor 2 (IAT2) can cause your engine to lose power, fail emission testing, and have a harder time accelerating. In especially bad cases, sensor circuit low input can create further issues within your engine.
Can I Still Drive with a P0097 Code?
If you have a faulty sensor connector or kinked or damaged connector wires, your volume air flow circuit may be fine, and the reading is off. For a sensor circuit low input, you should take your car to a local repair shop as soon as possible.
How Easy Is It to Diagnose a P0097 Code?
The P0097 code can be very hard to diagnose yourself. Unless you thoroughly understand combustion temperatures and switch circuit failure in cars, repairs should be left to the experts at your local repair shop.
How Difficult Is It to Inspect a P0097 Code?
This error code can be difficult for a novice or casual DIYer to repair since it involves many circuits and wiring. It is best to leave these repairs to your local repair shop.
These experts can also offer simple guidelines for informational purposes so you won’t encounter the same issues again. After all, you don’t want to go in for a follow-up repair.
Need Additional Help with Your P0097 Code?
The P0097 code indicates missing data for engine air intake and can negatively impact your car. Use Kelley Blue Book to find a repair shop to save time and money. You can also check out the KBB OBD-II database to better grasp all kinds of error codes your car might display.
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