P2A00 Code: O2 Sensor Circuit Range / Performance (Bank 1, Sensor 1)

Diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) or on-board diagnostic (OBD) codes are designed to standardize vehicle system diagnosis and make troubleshooting easier. A DTC can be traced by using an OBD-II scan tool, which is a device that communicates with your car’s computer or powertrain control module (PCM).

For you to conduct proper troubleshooting, you need to have an understanding of the specific code being shown on the scanner.

Here’s a guide to what you need to know about code P2A00⁠—its definition, causes, symptoms, and more.

What Does the P2A00 Code Mean?

Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P2A00 stands for “O2 Sensor Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1, Sensor 1).”

Note that the P2A00 code always refers to an “Air/Fuel” (A/F) sensor of some kind rather than a contemporary O2 sensor. Unlike conventional O2 sensors that begin to operate at 600 degrees F, this kind of sensor requires a working temperature of at 1200 to 1400 degrees F.

(If you want a technical understanding of the A/F sensor element the P2A00 code refers to, continue reading below. If you want to jump to the possible causes of P2A00, read our list of its most likely causes.)

The A/F sensor element is the combination of a “Nernst concentration sensor cell” and an oxygen-pump cell which transports ions.

With its internal control electronics, the A/F sensor outputs a clear, continuous signal throughout a wide range. The way it works is that the exhaust gasses diffuse through the gap between the electrode of the oxygen pump and Nernst concentration cell.

An electronic circuit controls the “pump current” through the oxygen cell so that the composition of the exhaust gas in the diffusion gap remains constant at Lambda, which is displayed as “1” on the scan tool PID.

Using this method, the A/F sensor can indicate air-fuel ratio by pumping current.

In addition to the Nernst and pump cells, the sensor contains a heater to maintain proper sensor operating temperature.

For just one example, the P2A00 code is set on a 2006 Nissan Sentra when:

• The output voltage computed by ECM from the A/F sensor shifts to the lean side for a specified period.
• The A/F signal computed by ECM from the A/F sensor shifts to the rich side for a specified period.

The P2A00 code can also appear on some diesel SCR systems.

What are the Common Causes of the P2A00 Code?

A lot of factors surrounding the upstream O2 sensor may cause the activation of the P2A00 code. Below are the most common causes:

• A failed O2 sensor or air/fuel ratio sensor
• Circuit problems, such as damaged wiring and/or connectors
• Rich running condition
• Lean running condition
• Bad MAF or MAP sensor
• Engine exhaust leaks

What are the Possible Symptoms of the P2A00 Code?

Be ready for driveability issues if you have a running P2A00 code. You may also observe one or more of these symptoms:

• Diminished fuel efficiency
• A lack of general engine performance
• Engine runs rough and misfires
• Illuminated check engine light

How to Diagnose the P2A00 Code

Keep in mind that causes and symptoms may vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle because cars may feature different system layouts and part orientation. Since there are a lot of varying factors, diagnosis may require mechanic-level knowledge and skill.

You may watch this video for more information about diagnosing the P2A00 code:

How to Fix the P2A00 Code

There is no quick fix or a universal solution for P2A00. Cars have their own unique components and some parts may be laid out differently depending on the manufacturer.

But if you are dead-set on fixing your own car, make sure to get the diagnosis right, so you don’t end up replacing parts that don’t need replacement in the first place. You’ll need to do some research on P2A00 fixes that have worked for other owners of the same exact vehicle as yours because different car makes may entail different solutions.

For example, replacing the exhaust flex pipe or air/fuel ratio sensor have reportedly worked for certain owners of the 2006 Nissan Sentra, 1.8L⁠. If you have the same car, then either of those could work for you⁠—provided that those components are faulty, of course. However, if your vehicle is a different make and model, say a Honda Fit, you may need to look for confirmed fixes for this specific model.

Also, we recommend that you consult a repair manual⁠, many of which can be found online. A better idea would be to subscribe to a single-vehicle ALLDATA subscription. This would be helpful not only for clearing the P2A00 code but for DTCs you may encounter in the future, as well.

P2A00 on Some Diesel SCR Systems

The P2A00 is a code that can indicate a problem with the NOx sensor(s) on a diesel-powered vehicle. NOX sensors are components of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system.

There is one NOx sensor placed upstream of the SCR to measure NOx concentration at the inlet, and another NOx sensor placed downstream of the SCR for obvious reasons.

The NOx sensors are “smart sensors” that communicate with the control module through the CAN bus. Thus, all the electrical monitoring is performed inside the sensor and the ECM only sees the results of the smart sensor’s calculations.

Each NOx sensor contains a heater, a sensing cell, and a pumping cell so that a sample of exhaust gas passes through the diffusion gap between these two cells.

To maintain a constant voltage in the sensing cell, an electronic circuit within the NOx sensor controls the pump current through the pumping cell. The more NOx there is in the exhaust, the more current is required.

The ECM uses this input to determine the reductant injector duty cycle to deliver the proper amount of diesel exhaust fluid by varying the injector duty cycle.

This system includes the NOx module and the NOx sensor element serviced as a single unit.

The NOx sensor module detects circuit and/or performance conditions with the NOx sensor(s), then communicates the reported condition to the ECM over the information bus.

Products Mentioned in this Guide

Oxygen Sensor Engine Control Module Mass Air Flow Sensor MAP Sensor