Lambda sensorsManufacturer codeUrgency: Monitor
Code P1199: lambda sensor 2 heater, bank 2 (Audi/VW)
P1199 means: manufacturer-specific code: electrical fault in the heater circuit of oxygen sensor 2 (downstream of the catalytic converter) on bank 2, on Audi and Volkswagen.[1][2] On Audi and Volkswagen (and, according to one source, Seat and Skoda too), P1199 indicates an electrical fault in the heater circuit of oxygen sensor 2 on bank 2, that is, the sensor located after the catalytic converter on the second bank of cylinders. The heater brings the sensor up to operating temperature quickly.[1][2]
What code P1199 means
On Audi and Volkswagen (and, according to one source, Seat and Skoda too), P1199 indicates an electrical fault in the heater circuit of oxygen sensor 2 on bank 2, that is, the sensor located after the catalytic converter on the second bank of cylinders. The heater brings the sensor up to operating temperature quickly.[1][2]
It is a manufacturer-specific code: its meaning depends on the make. Only the Audi/VW meaning is documented here; other code websites assign it different definitions on other makes, so confirm the make against the workshop manual.[1]
Original definition (SAE J2012): O2S Heater Circuit Bank 2 Sensor 2 Electrical Malfunction[1][2]
Causes of P1199
From most to least likely, according to the sources.
- 1Faulty oxygen sensor (bank 2, sensor 2), with the heater broken.[1][2]
- 2Damaged, corroded or poorly contacting sensor wiring or connectors.[1][2]
- 3Interrupted heater supply or ground circuit, including a blown fuse or relay.[1][2]
- 4Engine ECU fault, less likely.[2]
- 5Exhaust leaks that distort the reading, according to one of the sources.[2]
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on.[1]Engine warning light: faults that cause it
- Slightly poorer engine running.[1]
- Possible increase in consumption.[1]Uses more fuel: faults that cause it
How to diagnose P1199
In order: from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.
- 1Consult the manufacturer's technical bulletins and check for further codes from the same bank.[1]
- 2Check the wiring and connectors of sensor 2 on bank 2: burns, corrosion or wear. Check the heater fuse and relay.[1][2]
- 3Use a multimeter to measure the heater's supply, ground and resistance and compare it with the specification.[1]
- 4If the whole circuit is fine, replace the sensor; clear the codes and do a road test to see whether it returns.[1][2]
Can I keep driving with P1199?
Monitor
The sources mention no risk to the engine: it affects the sensor downstream of the catalytic converter. You can drive, but with the light on you will not pass the MOT and it is worth repairing so that another fault does not stay hidden.[1][2]
Documented faults related to P1199
Known faults of specific engines and cars, with their repair cost, the affected years and their sources.
Engine sensors: the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTIVP44 injection pump and air mass meter failureGerman Wikipedia documents recurring failures of the Bosch VP44 injection pump and the air mass meter in the early years of this engine. An owner testimony for this engine describes the pump being replaced at 192,500 km, at a cost the owner calls «prohibitive».
- Medium severityFrequency: Common2.0 TDIClogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorThe 2.0 TDI's particulate filter clogs if the car mostly makes short journeys, because it never gets to regenerate; sometimes the fault is just the differential pressure sensor. Cleaning it costs around €200 and replacing it, €800 to €3,000.Repair (garage): €800–€3,000
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 8vCrankshaft position sensor failure (TDC sensor)The crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH, or TDC sensor) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for the Clio II, the Kangoo I and the Dacia Logan I with this engine, with hard cold starting or stalling as the main symptoms. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 16vCrankshaft position sensor failureThe crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for almost every generation with this engine, with hard cold starting, stalling or the car cutting out unexpectedly. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
Frequently asked questions
What does P1199 mean on an Audi or Volkswagen?
An electrical fault in the heater of the downstream lambda sensor (sensor 2) on bank 2.[1][2]
Does the sensor always have to be replaced?
No. First the wiring, connectors, fuse and relay are checked; the sensor is replaced if the heater does not meet the specified resistance or the circuit is sound.[1][2]
Does P1199 mean the same on all makes?
No: it is a manufacturer-specific code. The Audi and Volkswagen meaning is documented here; on other makes it may be something else.[1]
Will I pass the MOT with code P1199?
If the code has switched on the engine warning light, no: with that light on, the inspection records a serious defect, and on Euro 5 and Euro 6 cars the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection, similar to the MOT) also reads the OBD diagnostic system. Repair the fault before you go; clearing the code just before the inspection does not help either, because it counts as a serious defect.[3]
Not sure what is wrong with your car? Describe what you notice in the symptom diagnosis or see all fault codes.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Código P1199CódigosDTC · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
- Der OBD Fehlercode P1199 bei VW, Audi, Seat & SkodaCarWiki · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
- Desmontando mitos: ¿puede pasar mi coche la ITV con el testigo de «avería motor» encendido?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 March 2021 · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish