P0298: Engine Oil Over Temperature (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)
What P0298 means
The engine computer (PCM) reads engine oil temperature from an oil temperature sensor. RepairPal says that if the engine oil gets too hot, the PCM sets P0298. OBD-Codes.com explains that the sensor is usually a thermistor whose resistance drops as the oil heats up, so the signal voltage rises; when that signal goes outside the PCM's programmed limits, P0298 is stored and the check engine light may come on. On some vehicles the same sensor also drives an oil temperature gauge. The code is generic to OBD-II vehicles, but not every vehicle monitors oil temperature (the OBD-Codes.com author says he has mostly seen it on diesels), and repair steps vary by make and model. Search interest shows people look it up mostly for Jeep (including the Cherokee), Dodge and Ford, so check technical service bulletins (TSBs) for your vehicle.
Severity: can I keep driving?
Stop and fix promptly
Stop and get it checked. RepairPal rates P0298 'Urgent', meaning it can cause severe damage, and OBD-Codes.com says the code should be diagnosed as soon as possible and the engine should not be run until the cause is fixed. Overheating is the most common cause, so pull over safely, shut the engine off and let it cool. Never open the radiator or coolant reservoir cap on a hot engine, because hot coolant can spray out under pressure.
Common symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Unusual engine noises or smells (OBD-Codes.com)
- Engine coolant leaks (OBD-Codes.com)
- Reduced engine performance (OBD-Codes.com)
- Engine cooling system codes stored at the same time (OBD-Codes.com)
Likely causes
Roughly most to least common, based on the sources below. Your vehicle may differ.
- Engine overheating from a cooling system problem, such as a coolant leak, a bad thermostat, a cylinder head or head gasket problem, or poor air flow (OBD-Codes.com calls overheating the leading cause)
- Low engine oil level
- Faulty engine oil temperature sensor
- Open or shorted sensor circuit
- Corroded wiring or connectors
- A faulty engine computer (PCM) or a programming error (OBD-Codes.com, only after the other causes are ruled out)
Diagnostic steps you can do
Work on a cool engine, parked on level ground with the parking brake set. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.
- With the engine cold, check the oil level and top it up to the correct mark with the correct oil type. OBD-Codes.com says making sure the engine is full of good oil and coolant matters most before anything else.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level. OBD-Codes.com says that if the cooling system is more than about a half gallon low, find and fix the leak.
- Check that the radiator cooling fans run when they should.
- Read all stored codes and freeze frame data and write them down, especially any coolant temperature or overheating codes.
- Look up technical service bulletins for your year, make and model.
- Clear the code and drive normally. If the engine is not overheating and the code does not come back, OBD-Codes.com says the problem may be solved; if it comes back, the sensor and its wiring need testing.
Typical fixes
- Repair the cooling system fault that is making the engine overheat (leak, thermostat, fan or other air flow problem)
- Top up or change the engine oil
- Replace a faulty engine oil temperature sensor
- Repair damaged, shorted or corroded wiring and connectors, or a loose ground
- Repair or reprogram the PCM if testing points to it
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
- OBD-Codes.com's test sequence: with the sensor unplugged, check for the reference voltage (usually 5 volts) and ground at the connector. If both are present, test the sensor's resistance against the factory specification. If the reference voltage is missing at the sensor but present at the PCM, suspect a broken or shorted wire between them; if it is missing at the PCM too, suspect the PCM or its programming.
- OBD-Codes.com says trying to diagnose the sensor while the engine is actually overheating is pointless, so fix any overheating first.
- The sources differ in how much detail they give: RepairPal only says the PCM sets P0298 when the oil gets too hot, while OBD-Codes.com also lists sensor and wiring faults that can make the PCM read a high temperature when the oil isn't really overheating.
- A head gasket or cylinder head problem behind the overheating needs a shop to confirm with pressure or chemical tests.
Where to buy
Plain search links. Always match parts to your exact year, make, model and engine.
FAQs
Can I drive with P0298?
No, not until it's checked. RepairPal rates it 'Urgent', and OBD-Codes.com says the engine should not be run until the cause is fixed. Hot oil and an overheating engine can cause serious engine damage.
What usually causes P0298?
OBD-Codes.com says engine overheating is the leading cause, from things like a coolant leak, a bad thermostat, a head gasket problem or a cooling fan that isn't working. Low oil, a bad oil temperature sensor and wiring faults can also set it.
Could P0298 be a bad sensor if my engine isn't overheating?
Yes. OBD-Codes.com lists a faulty oil temperature sensor, open or shorted wiring and corroded connectors as possible causes. If the oil and coolant are full and the engine isn't running hot, the sensor circuit should be tested.
What codes are related to P0298?
OBD-Codes.com lists the engine oil temperature sensor codes P0195 through P0199. An engine coolant over temperature code, P0217, often points to the same overheating problem.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-26. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.