P0165

  • Powertrain
  • Generic (SAE)
  • Emissions
  • Safety
SeveritySeverity level 5 of 5: Stop driving.

Stop driving

Continuing to drive risks injury or major mechanical damage. Shut the engine off when it is safe to do so.

Standard definition

O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 2 Sensor 3)

This code is in our catalogue but has not yet been through editorial review, so the guidance below is limited to what our structured data supports. We publish deeper diagnostic content only after a code has been reviewed — here is why.

In plain English

The ECU detects abnormally high voltage from the third O2 sensor on bank 2. Indicates rich exhaust or wiring shorted to voltage.

A trouble code records what a control module measured. It does not identify which part failed. Test before replacing anything.

Can I keep driving?
Safe to drive
Continuing to drive risks injury or major mechanical damage. Shut the engine off when it is safe to do so.
Urgency
Stop driving
Will it pass emissions
No
Check engine light
Solid
Clearing the light
A completed drive cycle is normally required before the monitor re-runs and the light can clear.
Symptoms you may notice
  • Increased fuel consumption
  • Possible rough idle or hesitation

Many vehicles show no symptom at all beyond the warning light. The absence of a symptom does not mean the fault is not real.

Likely causes
#CauseHow oftenComponent
1Rich exhaust conditionVery common
2Signal wire shorted to voltageCommon
3Connector pins corroded - high contact resistanceOccasional

Ordering reflects how often each cause is responsible in general, not a probability for your vehicle. Confirm by testing.

Components involved
  • Oxygen Sensor B2s3
  • Oxygen Sensor Wiring
Sources
Definition
Generic code set (SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6) via the OBDexopen database, dedicated to the public domain under CC0-1.0.
Diagnostic guidance
Written and reviewed in-house. See our editorial policy.
Review status
Awaiting review

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