Powertrain, generic (extended)

P20E5 Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor 1/2 Correlation (Bank 2)

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleRequired
Limp modeNo

P20E5 is the bank 2 counterpart of P20E2: on engines with a separate exhaust and aftertreatment path per cylinder bank, sensors 1 and 2 of the second bank disagree after the system has cooled down. No manufacturer documents this exact code publicly; the GM tables that use P20E2 cover single-path diesels. The method is known from Cummins' patent US7771113: once the exhaust has cooled, the thermistors ahead of and behind the oxidation catalyst are checked against each other and an offset sensor is identified, even when its reading is still within range. CARB requires rationality monitoring of every temperature sensor used by an emission strategy. Bank 2 circuit or range faults use P0548, P2082 or P2034. The driver sees the MIL; regeneration of the bank 2 filter may be limited.

Likely causes

Bank 2 sensor 1 or 2 reading offset
Contact resistance in a bank 2 sensor connector
Sensor connectors swapped between banks after a repair

Symptoms

  • Malfunction indicator lamp on
  • Bank 2 sensors show different values on a cold engine

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumDIY possible
Parts and labour€60–400
Time0.5–3 h

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

Parts involved

exhaust gas temperature sensorwiring harness

Related codes

P20E2P2082P0548P2034P2086

References: patents.google.com, law.cornell.edu.