P0097

Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Low

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0097?

Yes — it's safe. Expect at most minor drivability or economy changes, not a breakdown.

Q: Can I just clear P0097?

It comes back until the shorted wiring or sensor is repaired.

Intake air temperature sensor Generic OBD-II Low

What it means

P0097 means the signal from intake air temperature sensor 2 is too low, which the computer interprets as unrealistically hot intake air — usually a short to ground in the wiring or a failed sensor. This second IAT sensor helps the ECM adjust fueling for air density. A low reading can slightly skew the fuel mixture, but it doesn't cause a no-start; the practical effect is minor drivability or economy changes until the circuit is fixed.

Low

Can I keep driving? Yes — the engine runs; a low IAT2 signal makes the computer think intake air is very hot, which can slightly affect fueling but rarely stops the car.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

246

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

0.1%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0097 scans

P0113in 34.5% of scans

P00F4in 24.8% of scans

P2228in 21.9% of scans

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Slightly rough running or minor hesitation on some vehicles
Small change in fuel economy

Common causes

Most likely first

Short-to-ground in the IAT sensor 2 wiring or connector (reads low)Likely
Faulty intake air temperature sensor 2 (often built into the MAF or a charge-air pipe)Common
Loose or corroded connectorCommon
Failed ECM (rare)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Confirm the code and read IAT2 live data — a low circuit usually reads implausibly hot.
Inspect the sensor connector and wiring for a short to ground.
After a cold soak, compare IAT2 with IAT1 and coolant temp; they should read close.
Replace intake air temperature sensor 2 if it's out of range.
Repair wiring, clear the code, and retest.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0097?+

Yes — it's safe. Expect at most minor drivability or economy changes, not a breakdown.

Can I just clear P0097?+

It comes back until the shorted wiring or sensor is repaired.

Read & clear P0097 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX