P2079
Intake Manifold Tuning (IMT) Valve Position Sensor/Switch Circuit Intermittent Bank 1
Fuel & air metering
Generic OBD-II
Low
What it means
P2079 means the signal from the bank 1 intake manifold tuning valve position sensor is intermittent or erratic. This sensor reports the position of the valve that tunes intake airflow for power and economy. The cause is usually an intermittent wiring or connector fault, so the main symptom is the warning light rather than a clear performance change.
Low
Can I keep driving? Safe to drive — this is an intermittent sensor-signal fault, usually showing up as the warning light with little change in engine behavior.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Occasional hesitation or a brief power dip
- Often no noticeable driving symptoms
Common causes
Most likely first
- Intermittent open, short, or loose connection in the IMT valve position sensor wiringLikely
- Corroded or backed-out connector pin at the sensorCommon
- Failed intake manifold tuning valve position sensorCommon
- IMT valve or actuator fault — less commonLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and wiggle-test the IMT valve position sensor connector and harness while watching live data.
- Inspect the connector for corrosion, spread pins, or loose terminals and repair as needed.
- Check the sensor's reference voltage and ground; replace the position sensor if the signal drops out.
- If wiring and sensor are good, inspect the IMT valve mechanism. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P2079?+
Yes. It is an intermittent signal fault with minimal drivability impact, but repair it so any related intake-tuning faults are detected reliably.
Can I just clear P2079?+
You can, and it may stay off briefly because the fault is intermittent, but it returns until the wiring or sensor issue is repaired.
Related codes
Often seen with P2079
Read & clear P2079 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