P0195

Engine Oil Temperature Sensor A Circuit

Engine oil temperature sensor Generic OBD-II Low

What it means

P0195 means the ECM has detected a fault in the engine oil temperature sensor circuit. This sensor reports oil temperature, which some vehicles use for shift timing, cooling strategy, and service reminders. A circuit fault rarely changes how the car drives — expect a check-engine light and, on some models, slightly altered transmission or fan behavior. The usual cause is the sensor or its wiring.

Low

Can I keep driving? Generally safe to drive — an oil-temperature sensor circuit fault won't strand you, though it can affect shift and cooling strategy on some vehicles.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

372

scans in the past year

Found in

0.1%

of scans

0.1%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0195 scans

P0335in 57.5% of scans

P0197in 47.9% of scans

P0016in 46.5% 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
Implausible or missing oil-temperature reading
Possible changes to shift timing or cooling-fan behavior
Often no noticeable change in how the car drives

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty engine oil temperature sensorLikely
Open, shorted, or corroded wiring in the sensor circuitCommon
Loose or corroded sensor connectorCommon
Rarely, an ECM/PCM faultLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Inspect the oil temperature sensor connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, or a loose fit.
Compare the sensor's live reading against actual engine temperature at key-on.
Measure sensor resistance against spec; replace the sensor if it reads out of range.
If wiring and sensor check out, suspect the ECM. Clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0195?+

Yes, generally. The oil-temperature reading supports things like shift and cooling strategy rather than basic running, so the car drives normally — but fix it to keep those functions accurate.

Can I just clear P0195?+

You can, but if the sensor or its wiring is faulty the code returns after a drive cycle or two.

Read & clear P0195 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