P0195
Engine Oil Temperature Sensor A Circuit
Engine oil temperature sensor
Generic OBD-II
Low
What it means
P0195 means the ECM has detected a fault in the engine oil temperature sensor circuit. This sensor reports oil temperature, which some vehicles use for shift timing, cooling strategy, and service reminders. A circuit fault rarely changes how the car drives — expect a check-engine light and, on some models, slightly altered transmission or fan behavior. The usual cause is the sensor or its wiring.
Low
Can I keep driving? Generally safe to drive — an oil-temperature sensor circuit fault won't strand you, though it can affect shift and cooling strategy on some vehicles.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Implausible or missing oil-temperature reading
- Possible changes to shift timing or cooling-fan behavior
- Often no noticeable change in how the car drives
Common causes
Most likely first
- Faulty engine oil temperature sensorLikely
- Open, shorted, or corroded wiring in the sensor circuitCommon
- Loose or corroded sensor connectorCommon
- Rarely, an ECM/PCM faultLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Inspect the oil temperature sensor connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, or a loose fit.
- Compare the sensor's live reading against actual engine temperature at key-on.
- Measure sensor resistance against spec; replace the sensor if it reads out of range.
- If wiring and sensor check out, suspect the ECM. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0195?+
Yes, generally. The oil-temperature reading supports things like shift and cooling strategy rather than basic running, so the car drives normally — but fix it to keep those functions accurate.
Can I just clear P0195?+
You can, but if the sensor or its wiring is faulty the code returns after a drive cycle or two.
Related codes
Often seen with P0195
Read & clear P0195 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX