P2080 code meaning
Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1 Sensor 1)
Powertrain system Generic code P20xx codes Check engine light
What P2080 means
P2080 means the first exhaust temperature sensor on bank 1 passes its wiring checks, yet its reading does not fit the engine state. Each maker tests this differently. On the 6.6 L Duramax (GM 15OBDG09) the heat the exhaust flow should bring to the sensor is integrated and compared with what the sensor saw; the 3.0 L LZO (25OBDG04B) expects a minimum rise after more than 10,800 s of soak, which exposes a frozen value or a sensor no longer inside the pipe. Both are Type B. Ford's 6.7 L diesel cross-checks four sensors after 6 h off with a 50 °C key-on limit. VW's 2014 Touareg TDI allows 250 K above or 200 K below its model. Nissan cured false P2080 on the VK56VD and VR30DDTT gasoline engines with new ECM software. Erratic jumps belong to P2081.
P2080 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyMedium, DIY possible
- Typical labor0.3 to 1.5 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P2080
- Engine warning lamp on
- Particulate filter regeneration blocked or aborted on diesels
- Often no noticeable change in driving
Common causes of P2080
- Most likelySensor element drifted or slow after many heat cycles
- PossibleSensor loose, bent or not reaching into the exhaust stream
- PossibleECM calibration flags a good sensor (software update released, e.g. Nissan)
- Less likelyExhaust leak upstream of the sensor cools the reading
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Exhaust gas temperature sensor
What each part of P2080 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 2 | Generic code (second SAE range): it means the same on every make. |
| 0 | Area: fuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls. |
| 80 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P2080 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P2080
What does P2080 mean?
P2080 means "Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1 Sensor 1)". P2080 means the first exhaust temperature sensor on bank 1 passes its wiring checks, yet its reading does not fit the engine state. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P2080?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P2080 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P2080 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P2080 is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P2080 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.3 to 1.5 hours of work. A careful DIY repair is possible with basic tools and a scanner.
Will P2080 clear itself after the repair?
After the repair the car has to complete a drive cycle (a mix of city and highway driving) before the test runs again. Until then the readiness monitor shows "not ready", which can fail an inspection.