P0060: HO2S Heater Resistance (Bank 2 Sensor 2)
Quick Answer
Safe to drive (short-term)
P0060 means the engine computer found the heater resistance of the rear oxygen sensor on bank 2 outside its expected range. That is the sensor after the catalytic converter on the cylinder bank without cylinder 1, so the code only exists on V6, V8 and flat engines. The sensor still reads exhaust gas once the pipe is hot, but its heater has aged, its plug has corroded or a wire has high resistance. A new rear sensor on this bank typically costs about 100 to 310 EUR fitted.
- Severity
- Low · Emissions
- Estimated repair cost
- From €1 to €310+, varies by vehicle
€1 or €310, depending on your car.
- Replace sensor heater fuse€1–€3
- Replace rear oxygen sensor (Bank 2, Sensor 2)€100–€310
A scan shows whether P0060 is really stored on your car, which codes sit next to it and how urgent each one is.
A scan needs a Bluetooth OBD2 adapter (Bluetooth LE on iPhone), about €25-60; the built-in demo runs without one. See which adapter to buy
What does P0060 mean?
P0060 is a emissions-related diagnostic trouble code classified as low severity.
What are the symptoms of P0060?
- Check engine light on, with the car driving normally
- No change in fuel use, because the rear sensor does not trim the mixture
- Oxygen sensor heater readiness monitor not ready after the code is cleared
- Possible emissions test failure while the light is on
- Another rear sensor heater code from the other bank when a shared fuse or ground is at fault
What causes P0060?
Aged heater element in the bank 2 rear sensor, whose resistance has drifted out of range
: high
Corroded or loose connector at the sensor, adding resistance to the heater circuit
: medium
Damaged heater wire on the long run from the sensor to the engine computer
: medium
Open fuse in a supply shared with other sensor heaters
: medium
Poor ground at the engine computer, which on some V6 layouts is shared between the two rear heaters
: low
Replacement sensor with a different heater resistance from the original
: low
Is it safe to drive with P0060?
Generally yes, for short-term driving. Safe to drive. The rear sensor on bank 2 only watches the catalytic converter, so the engine runs and uses fuel as before. The warning light hides new faults and can fail an emissions test, so book the repair rather than leaving it.
How do you diagnose P0060?
- Identify bank 2 from the engine diagram: it is the side without cylinder 1, and sensor 2 is the one after the catalytic converter
- Compare with any bank 1 code. P0054 on the other side too suggests a shared fuse or supply; a bank 2 fault alone points at that bank's sensor or wire
- Test the heater fuse named in the fuse box diagram, then unplug the sensor and measure the heater pins against the resistance your car's service data gives
- Inspect the plug for corrosion, burnt plastic and loose pins. Rear sensors sit low and take road spray, so water in the connector is common
- With the key on, check supply voltage at the harness plug and continuity of the heater control wire to the engine computer
- On V6 engines check the wiring diagram for a ground shared by the two rear sensor heaters. A fault there can set heater codes on both banks together
- Fit a sensor with the original heater specification, clear the code and complete a cold-start drive cycle before judging the result
How much does P0060 cost to fix?
| Repair | Parts Cost | Labor Cost | Total Estimate | DIY Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Replace sensor heater fuse | €1–€3 | €0–€0 | €1–€3 | Easy |
| Clean or replace sensor connector | €5–€25 | €30–€80 | €35–€105 | Moderate |
| Repair wiring | €5–€20 | €40–€120 | €45–€140 | Moderate |
| Replace rear oxygen sensor (Bank 2, Sensor 2) | €50–€180 | €50–€130 | €100–€310 | Moderate |
| Workshop diagnosis (supply, ground and heater checks) | €0–€0 | €60–€120 | €60–€120 | Professional |
Prices estimated as of October 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
P0060 on specific vehicles
P0060 on Saab
Saab 9-4X (3.0 V6)
P0060 on Volkswagen
Volkswagen Passat B6 (3.2 VR6 FSI)
Related diagnostic codes
Common questions about P0060
- What does P0060 mean?
- P0060 means the heater resistance of the bank 2, sensor 2 oxygen sensor is outside the range the engine computer expects. That sensor sits after the catalytic converter on the cylinder bank without cylinder 1. The code needs two cylinder banks, so a four-cylinder engine cannot set it.
- What is the difference between P0060 and P0057?
- Both involve the same sensor heater. P0057 is the control circuit low code, a current or voltage fault. P0060 is a resistance check against a calibrated range, which Saab's V6 information runs at engine start-up. The fuse, plug and heater checks overlap.
- Can I drive with P0060?
- Yes. The sensor after the catalytic converter only monitors the converter, so the engine runs and burns fuel normally. Repair it soon anyway, because the light hides new faults and the car will fail an emissions test while it is on.
- Will the code clear on its own?
- It can go out after several clean drive cycles if the fault was a one-off, such as a wet connector. A worn heater brings it back, often on cold starts, so a returning code means the sensor or plug needs attention.
- Is a new sensor always the answer?
- No. The heater can be fine while a corroded plug or a damaged wire adds resistance. Measure the heater at the sensor first. If it reads in range there, the fault is in the plug, the wire or the supply.
- How much does it cost to fix P0060?
- A fuse is 1 to 3 EUR, a connector or wiring repair about 35 to 140 EUR, and a new rear oxygen sensor about 100 to 310 EUR fitted. Labour sits at the upper end when the bank 2 sensor is hard to reach.
Read our detailed guides
Sources
- saabwisonline.com saabwisonline.com/9-4x/2011/2-engine/engine-management-and-fuel-system-v6/fault-
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_9-4X
- wiki.ross-tech.com wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/17607
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Passat_(B6)