P2199Generic code

P2199 Code: Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1/2 Correlation

The P2199 code means the two intake air temperature sensors are reading values too far apart when they should be close to each other, usually on a cold start. In most cases there is no symptom beyond the check engine light, so you can keep driving. The fix is to find which of the two sensors is off and replace it or repair its wiring.

Severity
Low
Can I keep driving?
Yes, no immediate risk
Estimated cost
$20 to $250
Difficulty
Easy
System
Air and Fuel
Applies to
All OBD2 vehicles

Common in: Chevrolet

Updated Reviewed by Renzo Chacca

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What the P2199 code means

Some engines have two air temperature sensors: one built into the MAF sensor and another in the intake manifold or after the intercooler. After sitting for several hours, both should read almost the same as the outside air temperature.

If at startup the difference is bigger than the programmed margin, the computer does not know which one is right and stores the P2199 code. The error can be in either sensor or in its wiring.

It pays to compare both with the outside temperature and with the coolant temperature sensor after the vehicle has sat overnight. A cold engine is the best moment, because every temperature in the engine should be nearly the same.

P2199 code symptoms

  • Check engine light on.
  • Normally no symptoms.
  • A slightly worse cold start in some cases.

Likely causes of the P2199 code

  1. One of the sensors reads off. It is often the one built into the MAF sensor.
  2. Corroded connector that shifts the signal.
  3. Sensor installed next to a heat source.
  4. Damaged wiring. Look for rubbing against the engine, the chassis or the exhaust.

How to diagnose the P2199 code step by step

  1. After the vehicle has sat for several hours, read both sensors and compare them with the outside air and with the coolant temperature sensor.
  2. Identify the sensor that drifts away from the other readings.
  3. Check its connector and measure its resistance at a known temperature.

How to fix the P2199 code

  • Replace the sensor that gives the wrong reading.
  • Repair the connector or the wiring.
  • Clear the codes and verify after a cold start.

After the repair, leave the vehicle overnight and read both sensors again on the next cold start. If the P2199 code does not come back and the two readings agree, the repair worked.

Technical reference data

  • With a cold engine, both sensors and the coolant temperature sensor should be within a few degrees of each other.
  • These are reference values only: check the manufacturer data for your vehicle.

Brand-specific notes

This code is common on vehicles that have one air temperature sensor built into the MAF sensor and a second sensor in the manifold.

P2199 on Chevrolet

Frequent on Chevrolet models with the IAT sensor built into the MAF sensor and a second sensor in the manifold.

P2199 on GMC

Frequent on GMC models with the IAT sensor built into the MAF sensor and a second sensor in the manifold.

Frequently asked questions about P2199

Can I drive with a P2199 code?
Yes. There is normally no symptom, and the engine runs fine while you arrange the repair.
Which sensor do I replace?
The one that does not match the outside temperature after the vehicle has sat overnight.
Can it be the MAF sensor?
Yes, when the air temperature sensor is built into it. In that case the fix may mean replacing or servicing the whole MAF sensor.
How much does it cost to fix P2199?
Between $20 and $250. A connector repair is cheap, and a new MAF sensor with the temperature sensor built in is at the high end.
What does the P2199 code mean?
It is a generic OBD2 code that means intake air temperature sensors 1 and 2 disagree by more than the computer allows. It is checked mostly on a cold start.
Will a P2199 code clear itself?
The light may go out after several drive cycles if the mismatch was temporary. A drifting sensor or a corroded connector will bring it back, so find the cause.
What is the most common cause of P2199?
One of the two sensors reading off, most often the one built into the MAF sensor. A corroded connector is the next most likely cause.

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Questions about the P2199 code

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