P22AE: O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit/Open (Bank 1 Sensor…

What P22AE means

P22AE points to an open reference voltage line of the bank 1 downstream wide-band probe, i.e. the lead of the Nernst (sensing) cell, called RE/UN by Bosch and VS by NTK. Through it the controller reads the cell voltage it regulates the pump current against, so a break leaves the oxygen value meaningless. Chrysler lists P22AE for 2010-2012 Ram 2500/3500 with the 6.7 Cummins; bulletin 25-003-13 found tin instead of gold terminals in five cavities of the 2011 sensor-module connector. For the upstream twin P2243, Ford, GM and Saab declare an open when the sensor voltage leaves 0.2-4.7 V and, at GM/Saab, the cell resistance exceeds 570 ohms. P22AF, P22B0 and P22B1 are performance/low/high, P22BB is bank 2. The lamp comes on.

P22AE at a glance

Check engine lightYes, usually on
Emissions testCan fail
Limp modeNot expected
Repair difficultyMedium, DIY possible
Typical labor0.5 to 2.5 hours
Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner

Symptoms of P22AE

Check engine light
Downstream oxygen or lambda value invalid in live data
Other downstream sensor codes may be stored at the same time

Common causes of P22AE

Most likelyCorroded or wrongly plated terminals in the sensor or sensor-module connector
PossibleBroken Nernst-cell wire in the harness
PossibleCracked or aged sensing cell with very high internal resistance

Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.

Parts involved

Oxygen sensor bank1 sensor2Oxygen sensor wiringECM

What each part of P22AE means

P	Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission.
2	Generic code (second SAE range): it means the same on every make.
2	Area: fuel and air metering (injector circuit).
AE	The exact fault in that area.

What to do next

Note P22AE 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.

Codes often seen with P22AE

P22AF O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Performance (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
P22B0 O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit Low (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
P22B1 O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit High (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
P22AB O2 Sensor Positive Current Control Circuit/Open (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
P22B2 O2 Sensor Negative Current Control Circuit/Open (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
P22BB O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit/Open (Bank 2 Sensor 2)
P2243 O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit/Open (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

Questions about P22AE

What does P22AE mean?

P22AE means "O2 Sensor Reference Voltage Circuit/Open (Bank 1 Sensor 2)". P22AE points to an open reference voltage line of the bank 1 downstream wide-band probe, i.e. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.

Is it safe to drive with P22AE?

Usually yes, for a short time, if the check engine light is steady and the car drives normally. If the light flashes or the car runs badly, stop and have it checked.

Will P22AE fail an emissions test?

Yes, it can. P22AE 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 P22AE to fix?

Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 2.5 hours of work. A careful DIY repair is possible with basic tools and a scanner.

Will P22AE clear itself after the repair?

Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.

P22AE code meaning