P0197

Engine Oil Temperature Sensor A Circuit Low

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0197?

Yes. This is a signal fault on the oil-temperature sensor, not an actual overheating problem, so the car drives normally — just don't trust the oil-temperature reading until it's fixed.

Q: Can I just clear P0197?

It returns because the ECM keeps seeing the low signal. The sensor or its wiring has to be repaired.

Engine sensors Generic OBD-II Low

What it means

P0197 means the engine oil temperature sensor is sending an abnormally low signal — usually a wiring short to ground or a failed sensor, not the oil actually being cold. It's a signal fault, so the engine runs and drives normally; the main effect is an inaccurate oil-temperature reading and, on some vehicles, minor changes to cooling-fan or performance logic.

Low

Can I keep driving? Yes — this is a temperature-sensor signal fault, not an actual engine problem; the car drives normally, though an oil-temperature gauge may read wrong.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

267

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

0.1%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0197 scans

P0195in 66.7% of scans

P0016in 64.8% of scans

P1004in 61.4% 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
Inaccurate oil temperature reading or gauge, if equipped
Possible minor effect on cooling-fan or performance logic

Common causes

Most likely first

Engine oil temperature sensor signal shorted to groundLikely
Faulty oil temperature sensorCommon
Corroded or damaged wiring or connector in the circuitCommon
Faulty ECM/PCM (rare)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and check the oil temperature reading against actual engine temperature on a scan tool.
Inspect the sensor connector and wiring for a short to ground or damage.
Replace the sensor if it reads implausibly low with good wiring.
Clear and retest; consider the ECM only as a last resort.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0197?+

Yes. This is a signal fault on the oil-temperature sensor, not an actual overheating problem, so the car drives normally — just don't trust the oil-temperature reading until it's fixed.

Can I just clear P0197?+

It returns because the ECM keeps seeing the low signal. The sensor or its wiring has to be repaired.

Read & clear P0197 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