P0196 — Engine oil temperature sensor range/performance

P0196 indicates an EOT range/performance plausibility issue, not proven oil overheating. The ECU may compare EOT with coolant temperature or its change over time. Ford documents such monitoring on certain diesels; an October 2024 Stellantis advisory notes that IAT2 electrical faults may also cause P0196 on some applications. These conditions are not universal.

Affected system: Engine oil temperature sensing

Symptoms

• Engine warning; displayed or scanned EOT may be implausible.
• The code may occur only under warm-up monitor conditions; some vehicles have no other symptoms.

Possible causes

• Biased or slow EOT sensing element.
• Intermittent EOT connector or wiring fault.
• ECT or other monitoring inputs; IAT2 only for documented Stellantis applications.
• Engine-specific monitor conditions; do not assume software failure.

What to check

• Save all DTCs and freeze-frame; address P0197/P0198 and relevant ECT/IAT circuit faults first.
• Identify the exact engine and monitor; Ford diesel thresholds are not universal.
• After a full cold soak compare EOT with ECT and ambient temperature. An unexplained pre-start difference suggests incorrect sensing.
• Trend EOT and ECT through warm-up: a frozen or jumping signal suggests an electrical issue; a reasonable trend calls for checking monitor logic.
• Inspect EOT sensor, connector and wiring; check voltage and resistance only with the correct OEM diagram and temperature curve.
• Only where Stellantis advisory S2418000014 applies: if EOT tests pass, diagnose IAT2 and related circuit codes using OEM procedures.
• Repair the demonstrated cause and repeat the specified monitor conditions; do not replace the sensor solely because P0196 is stored.

Also written as: P0196-00, P019600, PO196 (some scan tools add the fault-type byte, e.g. -00).