P2087 — Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent Bank 2 Sensor 2

P2087 — Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent Bank 2 Sensor 2. A fault in the sensor and actuator circuits. The car is usually drivable while you plan the repair. Typical causes: blown fuse feeding the circuit, faulty sensor or actuator of the affected circuit, open or shorted wiring in the circuit.

powertrain (engine/transmission)

Is it safe to drive?

Short-term driving is OK In most cases the car remains drivable, possibly with reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary system. If symptoms include stalling, no-start or brake/steering warnings, treat it as urgent.

How to diagnose with an OBD scanner

  1. Read the code and freeze frame Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm P2087 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
  2. Check for companion codes and TSBs Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many P0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
  3. Inspect wiring and connectors Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the exhaust gas temperature sensor circuit intermittent bank 2 sensor 2 for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
  4. Subsystem check Measure reference voltage, ground and signal continuity at the component connector.
  5. Subsystem check Wiggle-test the harness while watching the signal in live data — dropouts reveal broken wires.
  6. Verify the repair Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm P2087 does not return.

Approximate repair cost

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for P2087 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates): Repair wiring or connectors: $80–$250; Replace the faulty sensor or actuator: $150–$500; Control module repair: $300–$1,000. Overall, fixing P2087 usually costs between $80 and $1,000. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Common questions

Is it safe to drive with P2087?

In most cases the car remains drivable, possibly with reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary system. If symptoms include stalling, no-start or brake/steering warnings, treat it as urgent.

How do I diagnose P2087 myself?

Start with a scan: confirm P2087, save the freeze frame and note any companion codes. Then inspect the wiring and connectors related to the sensor and actuator circuits, and verify the suspect component against live data before buying parts.

What does OBD2 code P2087 mean?

P2087 — Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent Bank 2 Sensor 2. A fault in the sensor and actuator circuits. The car is usually drivable while you plan the repair. Typical causes: blown fuse feeding the circuit, faulty sensor or actuator of the affected circuit, open or shorted wiring in the circuit.

What is the most common cause of P2087?

The most common causes are: blown fuse feeding the circuit, faulty sensor or actuator of the affected circuit, open or shorted wiring in the circuit.

How much does it cost to fix P2087?

Repair wiring or connectors — $80–$250; Replace the faulty sensor or actuator — $150–$500; Control module repair — $300–$1,000. Exact cost depends on the root cause, your vehicle and local labor rates — a proper diagnosis is the cheapest first step.

What does P2087 mean?

The engine control module sets P2087 when it detects a fault in the sensor and actuator circuits. In practical terms: exhaust gas temperature sensor circuit intermittent bank 2 sensor 2. The code belongs to the powertrain (engine/transmission) group of OBD2 codes.

In this definition, “Bank 2” is the side of the engine opposite to cylinder 1 and “Sensor 2” is the downstream (after the catalytic converter) sensor. Mixing up banks and sensor positions is the most common DIY mistake with this code — verify the physical location before replacing anything.

To set P2087, the control module compares live readings of the sensor and actuator circuits against calibrated limits, usually over several drive cycles. Alongside the code it stores a freeze frame — a snapshot of rpm, load, coolant temperature and vehicle speed at the moment of failure. Reading that snapshot first saves diagnostic time.

Common symptoms of P2087

  • possible limp mode depending on the affected component
  • increased fuel consumption in some cases
  • the affected system operates intermittently or not at all
  • Check Engine Light on

What causes P2087?

  • blown fuse feeding the circuit
  • open or shorted wiring in the circuit
  • poor ground connection
  • faulty sensor or actuator of the affected circuit

How to diagnose P2087

  1. Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm P2087 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
  2. Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many P0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
  3. Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the exhaust gas temperature sensor circuit intermittent bank 2 sensor 2 for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
  4. Measure reference voltage, ground and signal continuity at the component connector.
  5. Wiggle-test the harness while watching the signal in live data — dropouts reveal broken wires.
  6. Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm P2087 does not return.

How to fix P2087

Start with the cheapest and most common causes before replacing expensive parts:

  • Repair wiring or connectors — $80–$250
  • Replace the faulty sensor or actuator — $150–$500
  • Control module repair — $300–$1,000

How much does it cost to fix P2087?

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for P2087 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates):

  • Repair wiring or connectors: $80–$250
  • Replace the faulty sensor or actuator: $150–$500
  • Control module repair: $300–$1,000

Overall, fixing P2087 usually costs between $80 and $1,000. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Can you drive with P2087?

In most cases the car remains drivable, possibly with reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary system. If symptoms include stalling, no-start or brake/steering warnings, treat it as urgent.

Related OBD2 codes