P0060🔧 Heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) heater circuit, bank 2 sensor 2 (downstream)Drive with caution, fix soon

P0060: HO2S Heater Resistance Bank 2 Sensor 2 (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Reviewed 2026-10-23 · Based on 2 cited source(s)

What P0060 means

Oxygen (O2) sensors only read accurately once they're hot, so most have a built-in electric heater that warms them up quickly after a cold start. On many vehicles the engine computer (PCM) switches battery voltage to that heater until the engine reaches operating temperature, sometimes through a relay and an in-line fuse. Bank 2 is the side of the engine that doesn't contain cylinder 1, and sensor 2 is the downstream sensor after the catalytic converter. The two sources describe the trigger a little differently. OBD-Codes.com says P0060 sets when the PCM detects more resistance in the heater circuit than its programmed limits allow, and that some models need the failure on more than one drive cycle before the check engine light comes on. RepairPal says the code sets when the PCM detects that the heater wire is not operating. Note that the OBD-Codes.com article is inconsistent in places: its title and definition say bank 2 sensor 2, but parts of its text mention bank one, an upstream sensor and a pre-catalytic-converter sensor. The standard code definition, which RepairPal's code list matches, is bank 2 sensor 2. Related codes are P0059 (bank 2 sensor 1 heater resistance) and P0061 (bank 2 sensor 3 heater resistance); P0161 is the bank 2 sensor 2 heater circuit code.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Drive with caution, fix soon

Get it checked soon. The sources disagree on how serious it is: RepairPal rates P0060 Moderate, meaning not an immediate threat to safety or the car but worth diagnosing within a reasonable time, while OBD-Codes.com says it should be considered severe because the sensor's heater isn't working. Neither source describes a safety risk while driving, but a cold, unheated oxygen sensor can hurt fuel economy and emissions, so don't put it off for long.

Common symptoms

Likely causes

Roughly most to least common, based on the sources below. Your vehicle may differ.

  1. Faulty bank 2 sensor 2 oxygen sensor, including its internal heater (OBD-Codes.com, RepairPal)
  2. Burnt, broken or disconnected wiring or connectors in the heater circuit (OBD-Codes.com, RepairPal)
  3. Blown fuse or burnt fusible link in the heater circuit (OBD-Codes.com only)
  4. Faulty engine control relay (OBD-Codes.com only)
  5. Faulty engine computer (PCM) (RepairPal only)

Diagnostic steps you can do

⚠ Before you start

Work on a cool engine, parked on level ground with the parking brake set. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

  1. Check for technical service bulletins (TSBs) for your vehicle first, since the problem may be a known issue with a known fix (OBD-Codes.com).
  2. Find the bank 2 downstream sensor (after the catalytic converter on the side without cylinder 1) and inspect its wiring and connector, especially where the harness runs near hot exhaust pipes or sharp heat-shield edges (OBD-Codes.com).
  3. Test the O2 heater fuses and fusible links with a multimeter while the heater is switched on. OBD-Codes.com notes a fuse can look fine unloaded and fail under load, and a blown fuse points to a heater circuit shorted to ground.
  4. Read and write down all stored codes and freeze frame data, clear the codes and test-drive from a cold start to see whether P0060 comes back (OBD-Codes.com).
  5. With the engine cold, watch the O2 heater data on a scan tool. OBD-Codes.com says heater voltage should be virtually the same as battery voltage while the heater is on.
  6. With the related modules disconnected, measure the sensor heater's resistance with a multimeter and compare it to your service manual's spec (OBD-Codes.com).

Typical fixes

Repair costs vary widely by vehicle, region, parts brand and shop, so we don't quote prices. Get a written estimate after diagnosis.

🛠 When to call a pro

  • You can't tell which side of the engine is bank 2 or reach the downstream sensor
  • The heater fuse keeps blowing, which points to a short you'll need to trace
  • The code comes back after a new oxygen sensor
  • Several oxygen sensor heater codes are set at once
  • You need it to pass an emissions inspection soon

Where to buy

Plain search links. Always match parts to your exact year, make, model and engine.

OBD2 scanners on Amazon Parts at Advance Auto Parts catalog at RockAuto

FAQs

Can I drive with P0060?

Usually yes for a short time, but get it checked soon. RepairPal rates it Moderate, while OBD-Codes.com calls it severe because the sensor heater isn't working, which can hurt fuel economy and emissions.

Which oxygen sensor is bank 2 sensor 2?

It's the downstream sensor, after the catalytic converter, on the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder 1. Your service manual shows its exact location.

What's the difference between P0060 and P0161?

Both involve the bank 2 sensor 2 oxygen sensor heater. P0060 is defined as a heater resistance fault, while P0161 is the heater circuit code. The checks are similar: wiring, fuses, relay and the sensor itself.

How much does it cost to fix P0060?

Neither source gives a repair cost for P0060. It may be a fuse or damaged wire, or it may need a new oxygen sensor, so diagnose it first.

Sources

  1. OBD-Codes.com: P0060 HO2S Heater Resistance Bank 2 Sensor 2
  2. RepairPal: P0060 HO2S Heater Resistance (rated Moderate)

Last reviewed 2026-10-23. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.