Powertrain, generic (extended)

P2081 Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modePossible

P2081 is set when the signal of exhaust temperature sensor 1 on bank 1 jumps between consecutive readings faster than real exhaust gas can change. GM documents two versions. A diesel in table 18OBDG04 flags a change of more than 10 ohms between two samples taken 100 ms apart and needs 20 such failures out of 40. The 3.0 L LZO (25OBDG04B) looks at the raw temperature step instead, more than 100 °C, in 12 of 25 samples. Both are Type B, so the lamp lights after the second faulty trip. Infiniti lists P2081 with its siblings on the Q50 of 2016–2017 and the Q60 of 2017 (VR30DDTT) and fixes it by reprogramming the ECM. Ford's 2014 petrol code list carries it without a lamp marker. Loose contacts and heat-damaged leads are the classic causes; a steady but wrong value would be P2080.

Likely causes

Loose or corroded pin in the sensor connector
Sensor lead chafed or embrittled by exhaust heat, breaking contact on vibration
Cracked sensing element giving unstable resistance
ECM software issue (Infiniti VR30DDTT reprogramming)

Symptoms

  • Engine warning lamp on, sometimes only after the second trip
  • Exhaust temperature value jumping in live data
  • Regeneration or turbo protection strategy interrupted

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumDIY possible
Parts and labour€0–350
Time0.3–1.5 h

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

Parts involved

exhaust gas temperature sensoregt harness

Related codes

P2080P2083P2085P0544P0545P0546

References: gsi.ext.gm.com, gsi.ext.gm.com, static.nhtsa.gov, performanceparts.ford.com.