P0197: Engine Oil Temperature Sensor Low
Can you still drive? Yes, you can drive safely with this code. It primarily affects oil life monitor accuracy and may cause minor transmission calibration changes. Repair at your convenience.
What Does P0197 Mean?
Code P0197 indicates that the engine oil temperature sensor is reading lower than the expected minimum for the current operating conditions. This typically means the sensor signal voltage is too low, pointing to a short to ground in the sensor circuit or an internal sensor failure. The ECM uses oil temperature data for fuel and transmission calibrations.
Need to read your codes?
An OBD-II scanner lets you read and clear diagnostic trouble codes from your vehicle's computer. Most scanners work with any car made after 1996.
Browse OBD-II Scanners on AmazonCommon Causes
- Faulty engine oil temperature sensor with internal short
- Signal wire shorted to ground
- Water intrusion in sensor connector
- Damaged sensor wiring harness
- Corroded ground circuit
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Inaccurate oil life monitoring
- Possible harsh or delayed transmission shifts
- No noticeable driveability issues in most cases
Diagnostic Steps
- 1Read oil temperature on scan tool with engine at operating temperature; reading should be near coolant temperature
- 2Disconnect sensor and check if voltage rises to 5V reference level
- 3Inspect connector for water intrusion or corrosion
- 4Measure sensor resistance at operating temperature and compare to specification
- 5Check signal wire for short to ground between sensor and ECM
Recommended Parts & Tools
engine oil temperature sensor
wiring repair kit
dielectric grease
Estimated Repair Cost
| Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Total Repair Cost Range | $25 - $200 |
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Chat with AI About P0197Commonly Affected Vehicles
Related Recalls
1 Active Recall — 2026 Ford F-150
The following NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for this vehicle. Contact your dealer to check if your vehicle is affected.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.
Data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a low oil temperature reading mean?
A low reading from P0197 usually means the sensor or its wiring has an electrical fault causing it to report a temperature lower than actual. It does not mean your oil is actually cold.
Will P0197 affect my transmission?
On some vehicles, oil temperature data is used in transmission shift calibration. You may notice slightly different shift behavior, but it is not harmful to the transmission.
Community Fix Reports
Community reports are user-submitted and not verified by Auto AI Buddy. Results may vary.
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