Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2
The P2031 code means the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system has detected: Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2. This is a moderate severity code.
- Keep driving?
- Yes, but fix soon
- DIY difficulty
- moderate
- Estimated cost
- $80 - $450 (wiring or connector at the low end; sensor replacement at the high end - diagnose before buying parts)
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Common Symptoms
- Check Engine Light on
- Drivability may be normal - many circuit faults show no symptom the driver notices
- The affected system may fall back to a default strategy, costing power or economy
- Related values implausible or frozen on a scan tool
Probable Causes (Ranked by Likelihood)
- Fault in the Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit circuit: a fault in this circuit High
- Damaged wiring, a chafed harness, or a corroded connector at the Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit High
- Failed Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Moderate
- Control module input/driver fault (rule this out last - it is the least common) Low
Common Fixes by Vehicle
What techs usually find when diagnosing P2031 on specific vehicles — tap your vehicle for the fix and the exact part:
2008-2016 VW/Audi 2.0L TDI Common Rail moderate DIY
P2031 = EGT sensor bank 1 sensor 2 (between turbo and DPF) circuit low. The sensor is a 2-wire thermocouple-style. Replace with OE Bosch. Use VCDS to confirm the sensor reads open vs. just the low-end fault. Apply anti-seize sparingly and torque to spec -- overtightening cracks the thermocouple tip.
Labor: 1-2 hours2011-2019 Chevy Cruze/Equinox 2.0L Diesel moderate DIY
GM 2.0L LUZ diesel P2031 is the EGT sensor between the turbo and DPF. Access is from underneath. Sensor threads are heat-seized -- use penetrant and heat carefully (avoid the DPF substrate). Replace with an OE-quality AC Delco unit OE. Drive 50+ miles for adaptations to reset. Confirm the exact part for your year and engine with a retailer's fitment lookup or your VIN before ordering - these applications split by engine and build date.
Labor: 1-2 hours2011-2016 Ford F-250/F-350 6.7L Power Stroke moderate DIY
6.7L P2031 = EGT sensor position 2 fault. There are 4 EGT sensors on 6.7L (positions 11-14). FORScan shows exact values. Replace with an OE-quality Motorcraft unit OE -- aftermarket EGT sensors often give incorrect readings and cause regen problems. Force a regen after replacement. Confirm the exact part for your year and engine with a retailer's fitment lookup or your VIN before ordering - these applications split by engine and build date.
Labor: 1-2 hoursFrequently Asked Questions
What does P2031 mean?
P2031 is a generic OBD-II code defined by SAE J2012 as "Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2". It means the control module detected a fault in this circuit
Can I keep driving with P2031?
Yes for normal use, but get it diagnosed - the system is running on a fallback strategy and a small wiring fault left alone tends to become a bigger one.
Does P2031 mean the same thing on every car?
Yes. P2031 is in the generic (SAE J2012) range, so the definition is standardized across manufacturers. The specific component location and repair procedure still vary by vehicle - check your service information.
Mechanics Guide Step-by-step diagnosis
Step-by-Step Diagnostic Procedure
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Read the code and freeze-frame data, then watch the Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit live on a scan tool.
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Inspect the connector and harness at the Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit before replacing anything - wiring and corrosion cause most of these.
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Back-probe the circuit and compare signal, ground, and reference voltage against the service-manual values.
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Wiggle-test the harness while watching the live value if the fault is intermittent.
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Clear the code and confirm with a road test that covers the conditions in the freeze frame.
Sources 1
This page is built from documented references. Verify against your own service info before repair work.
- SAE J2012Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions (defines the generic OBD-II code ranges)
Commonly Affected Vehicles
- All OBD-II vehicles - this is a generic (SAE J2012) code with the same meaning across makes
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