P0060 – HO2S Heater Resistance Bank 2 Sensor 2

P0060 is a diagnostic trouble code that points to a problem in the heater circuit of one of your oxygen (O2) sensors, usually on Bank 2 Sensor 2. In plain terms, the engine computer sees something wrong with the electrical side of that sensor’s built-in heater. While this code won’t usually leave you stranded, it can affect fuel economy, emissions, and long-term catalytic converter life. Understanding what P0060 means, how it behaves, and how to track it down will help you decide whether you can tackle it yourself or need a shop.

What Does P0060 Mean?

P0060 stands for “HO2S Heater Resistance Bank 2 Sensor 2.” HO2S means heated oxygen sensor. Modern O2 sensors have an internal heater to bring them up to operating temperature quickly so the ECU can control fuel mixture accurately.

When the ECU sees heater circuit resistance outside its normal range on the downstream sensor (Sensor 2) of Bank 2, it sets P0060. This usually points to an open circuit, short, or high resistance in the heater wiring, connector, or the sensor itself, not the sensing element that reads oxygen.

Quick Reference

• Code: P0060 – HO2S Heater Resistance Bank 2 Sensor 2
• Main area: Downstream O2 sensor heater circuit on Bank 2
• Common causes: Failed O2 sensor, damaged wiring, corroded connector, blown fuse
• Severity: Low to moderate – drivability usually OK but emissions and fuel economy may suffer
• Typical fix: Replace O2 sensor and/or repair wiring and connectors

Real-World Example / Field Notes

In the shop, I see P0060 most often on higher-mileage SUVs and trucks where the downstream O2 sensor has been cooked by years of exhaust heat and road salt. A typical case: check engine light on, no major drivability complaints, maybe a slight drop in MPG. Scan tool shows P0060 stored and the heater circuit for Bank 2 Sensor 2 is inactive. A quick check with a multimeter reveals an open heater circuit inside the sensor. Replacing the sensor and cleaning the connector pins usually clears the code and keeps it from coming back.

Symptoms of P0060

• Check engine light (MIL) – The most obvious and sometimes only symptom.
• Reduced fuel economy – The ECU may run a richer mixture, especially on cold starts.
• Failed emissions test – Monitors may not complete or tailpipe emissions may be high.
• Longer warm-up time for closed loop – The ECU may stay in open loop longer on cold starts.
• Possible rough cold start – In some vehicles, fueling is less precise until sensors heat up.
• Other O2/catalyst codes – You may see catalyst efficiency or O2 sensor performance codes along with P0060.
• Increased exhaust smell – A richer mixture can cause a stronger fuel odor from the tailpipe.

Common Causes of P0060

Most Common Causes

• Failed downstream O2 sensor (Bank 2 Sensor 2) – The heater element inside the sensor burns out or opens.
• Damaged wiring near exhaust – Melted, brittle, or chafed heater wires from heat or road debris.
• Corroded or loose connector – Moisture and road salt cause high resistance or an intermittent connection.
• Blown O2 sensor heater fuse – A shorted heater circuit or another sensor on the same fuse can blow it.
• Poor ground or power feed – Weak voltage or bad ground to the heater circuit triggers resistance faults.

Less Common Causes

• ECU driver failure – The internal driver that controls the heater fails, though this is rare.
• Aftermarket exhaust or wiring mods – Relocated sensors or spliced wiring done incorrectly.
• Incorrect replacement sensor – Wrong connector pinout or resistance range for your vehicle.
• Severe corrosion in harness – Hidden damage inside loom where the harness runs under the vehicle.
• Previous repair damage – O2 sensor wires stretched, twisted, or pinched during other exhaust work.

Diagnosis: Step-by-Step Guide

You’ll want a basic scan tool, a digital multimeter (DMM), and ideally a wiring diagram for your vehicle. Access to live data and Mode $06 on a more advanced scanner makes diagnosis easier, but you can still get the job done with simple tools.

1. Confirm the code and freeze frame data. Connect your scan tool, read P0060, and note engine temperature, RPM, and speed when it set. Clear the code and see if it returns during a short drive.
2. Identify Bank 2 Sensor 2. Bank 2 is the side of the engine with cylinder #2 (opposite Bank 1). Sensor 2 is the downstream sensor, located after the catalytic converter on that bank.
3. Perform a visual inspection. With the vehicle safely raised and cooled, inspect the O2 sensor harness and connector. Look for melted insulation, broken wires, or a connector that’s loose, oily, or corroded.
4. Check the heater fuse and power supply. Locate the fuse for O2 sensor heaters (consult your owner’s manual or wiring diagram). Test it with a meter, not just by looking. With key on, verify you have battery voltage on the heater power wire at the connector.
5. Test heater resistance at the sensor. Unplug Bank 2 Sensor 2. Using the DMM, measure resistance across the heater pins (refer to a diagram or service info). Most heaters fall in a low-ohm range (often 3–20 ohms). Infinite resistance means an open heater; near zero may indicate a short.
6. Check for short to ground or short to power. With the sensor unplugged, check each heater wire to ground and to power for continuity that shouldn’t be there. Any unexpected continuity indicates a short in the harness.
7. Verify ECU control (if possible). Some advanced scan tools let you command the O2 heater on and off. Watch for voltage changes at the connector or use a test light to confirm the ECU is switching the circuit.
8. Inspect and clean the connector. Even if readings seem OK, disconnect and inspect both sides of the connector. Clean light corrosion with electrical contact cleaner and a small brush, then reconnect firmly.
9. Substitute a known-good sensor (if available). If wiring checks out and you still have P0060, installing a new or known-good sensor is often the fastest way to confirm a failed heater element.
10. Re-scan and road test. After repairs, clear the code and perform a drive cycle. Verify that P0060 does not return and that O2 and catalyst monitors complete.

Pro tip: When measuring heater resistance, compare Bank 2 Sensor 2 with Bank 1 Sensor 2. They should be in a similar range. A large difference is a strong clue that the suspect sensor is failing.

Possible Fixes & Repair Costs

Most P0060 repairs involve replacing the downstream O2 sensor on Bank 2 and addressing any wiring issues. A quality aftermarket sensor typically runs $60–$180, while OEM sensors can be $120–$300 or more. Labor is usually 0.5–1.0 hour, depending on access and rust, so you might see $80–$200 in labor at a typical shop. If wiring repairs, connectors, or ECU issues are involved, costs can climb to $300–$600. Location, vehicle make, and how rusty the exhaust hardware is all affect the final bill.

Can I Still Drive With P0060?

In most cases you can still drive with P0060 without immediate danger to the engine. The car usually runs normally because this code targets the heater circuit of a downstream O2 sensor, not the main fuel-control sensors. However, cold-start emissions and fuel economy can suffer, and your readiness monitors may not complete, causing an automatic fail on an emissions or smog test. It’s fine for short-term driving, but you should plan to fix it rather than ignore it for months.

What Happens If You Ignore P0060?

If you ignore P0060 long term, the ECU may run less efficient fuel strategies and cannot monitor the catalytic converter as accurately. That can lead to higher fuel consumption, increased emissions, and potential damage to the catalytic converter over time. You also risk failing state inspections or smog checks because the OBD monitors will not all set to “ready.”

Last updated: February 13, 2026

Vehicles Commonly Affected by P0060

P0060 shows up across many manufacturers that use heated oxygen sensors with monitored heater resistance. It’s particularly common on:

• GM trucks and SUVs – Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra, Yukon.
• Ford and Lincoln vehicles – F-150, Expedition, Explorer, and related SUVs.
• Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep – Ram pickups, Grand Cherokee, Durango, and minivans.
• European brands – Some BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi models with V6/V8 engines.
• Japanese makes – Toyota and Nissan V6/V8 trucks and SUVs occasionally show this code.

Any multi-bank engine with downstream O2 sensors can set P0060 if the heater circuit on Bank 2 Sensor 2 develops excessive resistance or an open circuit.