P0106: Manifold pressure (MAP) circuit range/performance
The intake manifold pressure (MAP) sensor’s reading doesn’t match what the engine computer expects from the engine speed, the throttle and its other sensors. Many engines use this reading to work out how much fuel to inject.
Updated
What P0106 means
The intake manifold pressure (MAP) sensor measures the pressure, or vacuum, in the intake behind the throttle. Many engines use it to work out how much air goes in, and so how much fuel to inject. On engines with an air flow (MAF) sensor it’s often a cross-check, and on many turbo engines it also measures the boost.
“Range/performance” means the signal is there, but it doesn’t fit what the engine computer expects from the engine speed, the throttle and its other sensors. On engines where the sensor sits on a hose, a split or loose hose is a classic cause.
The standard (SAE) title also names the barometric pressure: on some engines the same sensor measures the outside air pressure before the engine starts. Read My Car shows the intake manifold pressure under Live data, if your car reports it.
P0105, P0107, P0108 and P0109: circuit faults
These codes mean the signal itself is faulty: a fault in the circuit (P0105), too low (P0107), too high (P0108) or dropping out (P0109). The engine computer then runs on a fallback value. Start with the plug and the wiring; a blocked hose to the sensor can also set them.
P0105: Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Sensor Circuit
The engine computer gets no usable signal from the intake manifold pressure (MAP) sensor: it’s missing, too low, too high or drops out. The engine runs on a fallback value and can run rich, hesitate or stall.
Common causes: wiring or connector fault, faulty map sensor, blocked or loose vacuum hose to the sensor, where it has one.
P0107: Manifold pressure (MAP) circuit low input
The engine computer gets no usable signal from the intake manifold pressure (MAP) sensor: it’s missing, too low, too high or drops out. The engine runs on a fallback value and can run rich, hesitate or stall.
Common causes: wiring or connector fault, faulty map sensor, blocked or loose vacuum hose to the sensor, where it has one.
P0108: Manifold pressure (MAP) circuit high input
The engine computer gets no usable signal from the intake manifold pressure (MAP) sensor: it’s missing, too low, too high or drops out. The engine runs on a fallback value and can run rich, hesitate or stall.
Common causes: wiring or connector fault, faulty map sensor, blocked or loose vacuum hose to the sensor, where it has one.
P0109: Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Sensor Circuit Intermittent
The engine computer gets no usable signal from the intake manifold pressure (MAP) sensor: it’s missing, too low, too high or drops out. The engine runs on a fallback value and can run rich, hesitate or stall.
Common causes: wiring or connector fault, faulty map sensor, blocked or loose vacuum hose to the sensor, where it has one.
Can I keep driving?
Drive gently
Drive gently and have it checked soon. The engine can run rich, hesitate or stall, and a very rich mixture can overheat the catalytic converter. If the engine runs very rough, stalls or puts out black smoke, don’t drive on: have it checked first.
General guidance based on the code alone, not on the car’s actual condition. If in doubt, stop and ask a mechanic.
Where the engine meters its fuel by this sensor, a wrong reading can make it run very rich: black smoke, a smell of fuel from the exhaust, poor running or stalling. A very rich mixture can overheat the catalytic converter, so don’t drive far like that. If you smell fuel in or around the car rather than from the exhaust, stop when it’s safe to do so and don’t restart the engine.
Symptoms
- Rough running or a rough idle.
- Hesitation or less power when accelerating.
- Black smoke or higher fuel use on some cars.
- Stalling or hard starting on some cars.
Common causes
- Split, blocked or loose vacuum hose to the sensor, where it has one. Rubber hoses harden and crack with heat and age. On many engines the sensor sits directly on the intake instead.
- Intake air leak. Air leaking in behind the throttle changes the pressure the sensor sees.
- Faulty MAP sensor. Dirt or moisture in the sensor’s opening can also distort the reading.
- Wiring or connector fault. A loose or corroded plug distorts the signal.
Typical fixes
- Check the sensor’s plug and wiring, and the vacuum hose to it where it has one.
- Look and listen for intake leaks with the engine idling.
- With the ignition on and the engine off, the intake pressure in live data should be close to the outside air pressure. Compare the reading at idle with the value in the service information for your car.
- Replace the sensor if the hoses, the wiring and the readings point to it, then clear the code.
Questions
Can I drive with P0106?
Gently, and have it checked soon. The engine can run rich, hesitate or stall. If it runs very rough, stalls or puts out black smoke, don’t drive on: have it checked first.
What is the difference between P0106 and P0101?
P0106 is about the intake pressure (MAP) sensor, P0101 about the air flow (MAF) sensor. Both are used to work out the air going into the engine, in different ways. Some engines have only one of them, others both.