P0197 – Engine oil temperature (EOT) sensor -low input

By Benjamin Jerew (Contact Me)
Last Updated 2016-09-28
ASE Master Tech

Table of Contents

1. What Does Code P0197 Mean?
2. What are the common causes of code P0197 ?
3. What are the symptoms of code P0197 ?
4. How do you troubleshoot code P0197 ?
5. Codes Related to P0197
6. Get Help with P0197

What Does Code P0197 Mean?

If the engine is the heart of your vehicle, then engine oil is the blood. Without engine oil to lubricate hundreds of moving metal parts, some of them separated by less than the width of a human hair, your engine would quickly overheat and weld itself into a useless chunk of metal. Engine oil, aside from lubrication, is also the principal manner in which heat is removed from the engine, which is why some oil pans have cooling fins and some engines are equipped with oil coolers. Some applications, such as towing or racing, require the installation of auxiliary oil coolers to maintain proper lubrication, cooling, and engine function.

Oil temperature is important because excessive temperature could lead to burning, engine overheating, and loss of lubrication. The engine control module (ECM) uses the engine oil temperature (EOT) sensor to monitor oil temperature. The EOT signal is also utilized by the instrument cluster if the vehicle is equipped with an oil temperature gauge or oil temperature warning light. If the ECM detects a problem with the EOT signal, it will set a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) in system memory and illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL).

For example, if the engine has been off for a few hours at engine startup, the ECM assumes that the EOT should measure about the same as the IAT and ECT (intake air temperature and engine coolant temperature) sensors. If EOT readings are off by more than a few degrees, the ECM assumes a fault in the EOT or its circuit. After the engine has started, it monitors EOT and estimates how warm the oil should be heating up within a certain amount of time. If measured oil temperature doesn’t rise above a certain threshold within that time limit, the ECM assumes a fault. DTC P0197 is defined as “Engine Oil Temperature (EOT) Sensor Low Input Error.”

What are the common causes of code P0197 ?

Depending on year, make, and model, DTC P0197 may have number of causes. Aside from a faulty EOT sensor, here are some of the most common causes:

• Extreme Cold – Using your vehicle in extreme cold can be problematic for a number of reasons, because the engine needs to be at a certain temperature to run at its most-efficient. Typically, the engine needs to run around 195-205 °F for best performance and fuel economy, but extreme cold might make it hard for the engine to even get to that temperature. Consider covering the grille to keep excess air out of the engine compartment to conserve heat, only be careful to watch that temperatures do not swing to overheating when at a standstill, for example.
• Racing and Towing – Putting your engine to its limits in the other direction can also impede engine oil cooling, which is essential for maintaining correct engine temperature. Racing and towing are two situations that can really push your engine’s cooling and lubrication system to the test. Consider adding an additional oil cooler to your setup to improve engine oil cooling.

What are the symptoms of code P0197 ?

Aside from the MIL, you may not notice anything at all. On the other hand, you may notice other symptoms, such as overheating due to coolant problems, low oil level, or engine oil sludge. Lack of cabin heat might be another symptom, especially if you have thermostat problems or are driving in the extreme cold.

How do you troubleshoot code P0197 ?

Circuit Low Input codes are often the result of low battery voltages (that can have many possible causes), bad connections across electrical connectors or previously repaired wiring, as well as corrosion in electrical connectors. Other possible causes of low input voltages include poor installation of aftermarket components, poor quality aftermarket components like fuses, relays, and switches, and modification of the electrical system that could include the use of conductors that are not rated for use in a particular application. However, poor connections often result in high resistances in some parts of the circuit, which is why it is important to perform resistance and continuity checks during the diagnostic procedure.

Troubleshooting the EOT and its circuit is fairly straightforward. The sensor is similar to the IAT, a two-wire 5 V thermistor, which changes resistance based on temperature. The ECM reads the incoming voltage, calculating oil temperature based on that.

• General Checks –
  • Check electrical connectors and wire harness for obvious damage. Make sure the plug has no bent or broken pins or corrosion and that it is properly seated. Repair as necessary.
  • Check that the engine is heating up properly and the thermostat is opening and closing properly. If the thermostat is stuck open, you will not get any cabin heating and the engine will not reach operating temperature. Repair as necessary.
• OBD Check – Perhaps the easiest way to check the EOT sensor is by trying to induce the opposite DTC.
  • Clear DTCs, turn off the vehicle, disconnect the EOT, then start the vehicle again. You should get DTC P0197 EOT Low, which means you may be able to condemn the sensor.
  • Repeat the test, this time with a short-wire (paperclip or similar) in the EOT sensor connector. If you get DTC P0198 EOT High, this means the circuit is working properly.
  • If test results match the above, you can condemn the sensor and replace it. If test results don’t match either of above, proceed to circuit tests.

    

• Circuit Tests –
  • With KOEO (key ON engine OFF), check for 5 V_ref (reference voltage) at the EOT input and proper voltage output. Compare voltage output to the temperature/voltage chart. At 50 °F, for example, the EOT should be putting out about 3.73 V.
    • If you measure 5 V input and 5 V output, you could have an open circuit back to the ECM.
    • If you measure 5 V input and 3.73 V output, the sensor is working properly, but you may have another problem.
    • If you measure 5 V input and 0 V output, the sensor is dead. Replace the sensor.
    • If you measure less than 5 V input, you may have an open circuit or corrosion impeding the 5 V reference from the ECM. It’s possible that the V_ref generator in the ECM is faulty, but this is not common and you would have a number of other DTCs along with it.
  • With key OFF, disconnect both the ECM and EOT. Check for continuity, <1 Ω, and open circuit, >10 kΩ, to each other and to ground. Repair as necessary.

Codes Related to P0197

• P0195 Engine Oil Temperature Sensor
• P0196 Engine Oil Temperature Sensor Range / Performance
• P0197 Engine Oil Temperature Sensor Low
• P0198 Engine Oil Temperature Sensor High
• P0199 Engine Oil Temperature Sensor Intermittent

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