P0160 Oxygen sensor shows no activity, bank 2 sensor 2

O2 sensor no activity detected (bank 2, sensor 2)

Monitor

This is an oxygen sensor fault after the catalytic converter that mostly affects emissions monitoring, so the car can normally be driven while you book a check.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: Get it inspected soon if the engine runs rough, hesitates badly or stalls, since other faults may be involved.

Source: how we rate severity

P0160 in short

P0160 means the computer has found no activity from the oxygen sensor after the catalytic converter on bank 2. The usual causes are a failed sensor or damaged wiring and connectors. The car is normally driveable, but the fault can hide other problems and will fail an emissions inspection, so get it checked.

The Delaware DMV list and TroubleCodes.net both define P0160 as an oxygen sensor fault on bank 2 (no activity detected). Bank and sensor numbers come from the carmaker, so check service information for which sensor is which on your engine.

Reference pages say the sensor itself is the most common failure, with wiring and connector damage next. Sources describe the symptoms as mild; often only the warning light shows.

Most likely causes

These are general causes for this code across vehicles. None is specific to one make or model.

  1. Failed or contaminated oxygen sensor

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net lists the sensor itself as a leading cause.
    What would change this
    Rises if the sensor signal is stuck or out of range on live data. Falls if the signal looks normal and moves.
    How to test the oxygen (o2) sensor

  2. Damaged or corroded wiring or connector

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net lists wiring and connector damage as the other main cause.
    What would change this
    Rises if the harness or plug shows damage or corrosion. Falls if wiring and connector are clean and intact.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all stored codes and note any other oxygen sensor codes stored with P0160.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfSeveral oxygen sensor codes are stored

      It meansA shared wiring or power problem is possible.

      Go to step 2

    • IfP0160 is the only code

      It meansCheck the wiring and connector at the sensor.

      Go to step 2

  2. Look over the sensor wiring and connector for damage, burns or corrosion.

    Best left to a shop

    Warning:Exhaust parts are very hot after driving and a seized sensor can be damaged or break the thread when removed. Let the exhaust cool and have a shop do it.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light
  • Failed emissions inspection
  • Hesitation, hard starting, higher fuel use or black smoke are possible on some cars

How to fix

  1. With the engine off and cool, look at the sensor connector and wiring for damage or corrosion.

Parts and cost context

  • Oxygen (O2) sensor:Confirm which sensor is bank 2 sensor 2 on your engine. Labour varies; get a quote.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Nissan

  • 2001–2002 · Xterra

    Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan bulletin 04002A covers a MIL on with multiple front and rear O2 sensor codes, P0160 among them, on 2001-2002 Frontier and Xterra. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2001–2002 · Frontier

    Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan bulletin 04002A covers a MIL on with multiple front and rear O2 sensor codes, P0160 among them, on 2001-2002 Frontier and Xterra. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 04002AStatus unverified

    MIL on with multiple front and rear O2 sensor codes including P0160

    2001–2002frontier, xterra · issued · NHTSA 10005192

    Nissan bulletin for 2001-2002 Frontier and Xterra with the MIL on and multiple front and rear O2 sensor codes, P0160 among them. Only the NHTSA summary was read; it does not give the repair.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Cadillac

  • 2004 · CTS

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM bulletin 01585 covers post-catalyst O2 sensor water intrusion on 2004 CTS and lists P0160 among its codes. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 01585Status unverified

    Post-catalyst O2 sensor water intrusion with several codes including P0160

    2004cts · issued · NHTSA 10005425

    GM bulletin on water intrusion at the post-catalyst O2 sensors on 2004 CTS, listing several codes including P0160. Only the NHTSA summary was read; it does not give the repair.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

No curated relationships for P0160 yet.

All Oxygen sensors codes

Sources and review

  1. P0160 - Oxygen Sensor Circuit (No Activity Detected) — TroubleCodes.net
  2. Nissan bulletin 04002A: MIL on with multiple front and rear O2 sensor codes including P0160 — Nissan (filed with NHTSA) ,
  3. Cadillac bulletin 01585: Post-catalyst O2 sensor water intrusion with several codes including P0160 — General Motors (filed with NHTSA) ,
  4. On-Board Diagnostic Trouble Codes (generic code title list) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error

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