Powertrain, generic · Fuel and air metering

P0106 Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Sensor Circuit Range/Performance

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleRequired
Limp modePossible

The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor measures the pressure behind the throttle; on vehicles without a separate barometric sensor it also supplies the ambient pressure, read at key-on or wide-open throttle – hence 'MAP/BARO'. It is a three-wire sensor with 5 V reference, ground and signal. P0106 is a plausibility fault: the signal is electrically valid but implausible – stuck, offset or drifting. Two tests are common. With the engine stopped, all pressures equalise, so MAP must match ambient (and boost) pressure; Ford allows 1.5–3 inHg. While running, MAP is compared with a value modelled from air mass, throttle and speed – GM blames the MAP sensor above about 23–30 kPa error, with two trips on petrol and one on diesel. Turbo engines with three sensors find the odd one out by majority. Besides the sensor, intake or boost leaks often cause it.

Likely causes

Vacuum leak at the intake manifold or boost leak (hose, clamp, charge air cooler)
Sensor oiled or sooted, port blocked (EGR soot), characteristic drifted
High resistance in signal, reference or ground wire
Comparison sensor wrong, or mechanical cause (dirty throttle, EGR stuck open)

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Rough idle, hesitation, poor response
  • Higher consumption, black smoke possible on diesels
  • Loss of power or limp mode on turbo engines

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumDIY possible
Parts and labour€20–300
Time0.5–2 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

What to check first

  1. Check vacuum hoses
  2. Compare MAP with barometric pressure key-on engine-off
  3. Check for intake leaks

Parts involved

manifold absolute pressure sensorintake manifoldsensor wiringboost pressure sensor

Related codes

P0105P0107P0108P0069P2227P0236

References: law.cornell.edu, fordservicecontent.com, newtonnet.co.uk, gsi.ext.gm.com.