P0197 Oil temperature sensor reporting a voltage that is too low

Engine oil temperature sensor low input

Monitor

TroubleCodes.net says this code often brings no noticeable drivability problem, so it is usually a sensor-circuit fault rather than an urgent one.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: Inspect soon if the temperature gauge climbs, an oil or temperature warning shows, or the engine runs poorly alongside the light, because the listed symptoms include possible overheating and low oil indicators.

Source: how we rate severity

P0197 in short

P0197 means the engine computer sees a voltage that is too low from the engine oil temperature sensor circuit. Common causes are a failed sensor, a wire shorted to ground, or corroded connectors. It often causes no obvious drivability problem, but check the temperature gauge.

The oil temperature sensor is a two-wire thermistor fed 5 volts by the computer. Its resistance changes with temperature, and the computer reads the resulting voltage.

P0197 is set when that voltage is abnormally low. TroubleCodes.net lists a short to ground, a faulty sensor, corroded connectors, open circuits, low battery voltage and extreme cold as possible causes.

The Delaware DMV generic code list gives the same title, engine oil temperature sensor low.

Most likely causes

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

  1. Failed oil temperature sensor

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net lists a faulty sensor first among the causes.
    What would change this
    Rises if the sensor reading is far off the chart for its temperature. Falls if the circuit tests faulty first.

  2. Wiring shorted to ground or damaged

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    A wire shorted to ground pulls the signal voltage low.
    What would change this
    Rises if the wire shows damage or a short on a resistance check. Falls if wiring tests clean.

  3. Corroded or poor connector

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net names corroded connectors and poor connections.
    What would change this
    Rises if the connector shows corrosion. Falls if it is clean and tight.

What to test first

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

  1. Inspect the oil temperature sensor connector and wiring for corrosion, damage or poor contact.

    Low riskTool: visual inspection

  2. Have the sensor circuit checked for the 5-volt reference and the sensor output voltage against the temperature chart. TroubleCodes.net gives about 3.73 volts at 50°F.

    Best left to a shopTool: multimeter, scan tool

    Warning:Back-probing live connectors can short a circuit and damage the computer. Let a shop do it.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light
  • Often no noticeable drivability problem
  • Possible temperature or low oil level warning Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

  1. With the engine off and cool, check the oil temperature sensor connector and wiring for corrosion, bent pins or damage.

  2. Have the sensor circuit tested against the manufacturer's voltage or resistance chart before replacing the sensor.

Parts and cost context

  • Engine control module (ECM / PCM):The engine computer is a rare cause. Confirm with circuit tests first. 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

Jeep

  • 2019–2021 · Grand Cherokee

    Supported by vehicle data

    Jeep bulletin S2108000084 covers a check engine light with P0197, engine oil temperature low. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • S2108000084Status unverified

    Check engine light with P0197 (engine oil temperature low)

    2019–2021grand-cherokee · issued · NHTSA 10220918

    Jeep bulletin for a check engine light with P0197, engine oil temperature low. The summary is only the title and gives no repair.

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

Volkswagen

  • 2019 · Atlas

    Supported by vehicle data

    Volkswagen bulletin VIN4APIN20190906 lists a check engine light with P0197 among several customer complaints. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2019 · Jetta

    Supported by vehicle data

    Volkswagen bulletin VIN4APIN20190906 lists a check engine light with P0197 among several customer complaints. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2018–2019 · Tiguan

    Supported by vehicle data

    Volkswagen bulletin VIN4APIN20190906 lists a check engine light with P0197 among several customer complaints. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • VIN4APIN20190906Status unverified

    Customer-states list including MIL on with P0197

    2018–2019atlas, jetta, tiguan · issued · NHTSA 10165025

    Volkswagen bulletin listing several customer complaints, one of which is a check engine light with P0197 (others include P1429, P0556, P0133, P0116). Only the NHTSA summary was read.

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

Chrysler

  • 2005 · 300

    Supported by vehicle data

    Chrysler flash bulletin 1803104 covers driveability improvements for a check engine light with P0197 among other codes. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 1803104-chryslerStatus unverified

    Driveability improvements flash for MIL with P0197 and other codes

    2005300 · issued · NHTSA 10008744

    Chrysler flash bulletin on driveability improvements for a check engine light with P0116, P0139, P0159, P0197, U110B or U1402. It supersedes bulletin 18-031-04. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

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

Dodge

  • 2005 · Magnum

    Supported by vehicle data

    Dodge flash bulletin 1803104 covers driveability improvements for a check engine light with P0197 among other codes. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 1803104-dodgeStatus unverified

    Driveability improvements flash for MIL with P0197 and other codes

    2005magnum · issued · NHTSA 10008744

    Dodge listing of the same flash bulletin on driveability improvements for a check engine light with P0116, P0139, P0159, P0197, U110B or U1402. Only the NHTSA summary was read.

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

  • P0198Oil temperature sensor reporting a voltage that is too high

    Same system Common general cause

    P0198 is the high-input code for the same sensor.

  • P0199Oil temperature sensor signal dropping in and out

    Same system Common general cause

    P0199 is the intermittent code for the same sensor.

All Ignition and engine position sensors codes

Sources and review

  1. P0197 trouble code explanation — TroubleCodes.net
  2. S2108000084: Check engine light with P0197 (engine oil temperature low) — Jeep
  3. VIN4APIN20190906: Customer-states list including MIL on with P0197 — Volkswagen
  4. 1803104: Driveability improvements flash for MIL with P0197 and other codes — Chrysler
  5. 1803104: Driveability improvements flash for MIL with P0197 and other codes — Dodge
  6. On-Board Diagnostic Trouble Codes (generic code title list) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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