GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

Heated oxygen sensors (HO2S) are used for fuel control and catalyst monitoring. Each HO2S compares the oxygen content of the surrounding air with the oxygen content of the exhaust stream. When the vehicle is started, the control module operates in an Open Loop mode, ignoring the HO2S signal voltage while calculating the air-to-fuel ratio. The control module supplies the HO2S with a reference, or bias, voltage of approximately 450 mV. While the engine runs, the HO2S heats up and begins to generate a voltage within a range of 0-1,000 mV. This voltage will fluctuate above and below the bias voltage. Once sufficient HO2S voltage fluctuation is observed by the control module, Closed Loop is entered. The control module uses the HO2S voltage to determine the air-to-fuel ratio. An HO2S voltage that increases above bias voltage toward 1,000 mV indicates a rich fuel mixture. An HO2S voltage that decreases below bias voltage toward 0 mV indicates a lean fuel mixture.

The heating elements within each HO2S heat the sensor. The powertrain control module (PCM) controls the HO2S heater control circuit. The HO2S heater diagnostic monitors the current draw through the HO2S output driver module (ODM) when the engine is running. This allows the system to enter Closed Loop earlier and the control module to calculate the air-to-fuel ratio sooner.

The PCM commands the heater ON or OFF to maintain a specific HO2S operating temperature range. The PCM determines the temperature by measuring the current flow through the heater. When the heater is in the ON state, the PCM will pulse the heater OFF for a duration of 50 ms, once per second. when the heater is in the OFF state, the PCM will pulse the heater ON for a duration of 50 ms, once per second.

If the PCM detects that the HO2S 1 voltage remains below a calibrated amount for an excessive amount of time, DTC P0131 will set.

The HO2S 1 has the following circuits:

    • A HO2S 1 high signal circuit
    • A HO2S 1 low reference circuit
    • A HO2S 1 heater ignition voltage circuit
    • A HO2S 1 heater low control circuit

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure support the following DTC:

DTC P0131 HO2S Circuit Low Voltage Bank 1 Sensor 1

Conditions for Running the DTC

The following conditions must first be met:

    • DTCs P0101, P0102, P0103, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0120, P0125-where applicable, P0128, P0201, P0202, P0203, P0203, P0204, P0205, P0206, P0220, P0442, P0443, P0446, P0449, P0452, P0453, P0454, P0455, P0464, P0496, P2135, P2A00 are not set.
    • DTCs P0401, P0420, and P2A01 are not commanding fuel.
    • The system voltage is between 9-18 volts.
    • The scan tool special functions are not active.
    • The Air Fuel Ratio parameter is between 12:1-16.5:1.
    • The TP sensor parameter is between 4-40 percent.
    • When not in the power enrichment (PE) mode, the following conditions must also be met:
       - The Air Fuel Ratio parameter is between 12:1-16.5:1.
       - The TP sensor parameter is between 4-40 percent.
       - Loop Status parameter is closed.
       - The ECT parameter is less than 131°C (267°F).
       - All fuel injectors are ON.
       - Traction control is not active.
    • During PE mode, the following conditions must also be met:
       - Engine Run Time parameter is more than 5 minutes.
       - The Air Fuel Ratio parameter is more than 16.5:1.
       - The above conditions are present for at least 2 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The PCM detects that the HO2S 1 signal voltage is less than 78 mV for more than 51 seconds.
         OR
        The PCM detects that the HO2S 1 signal voltage is less than 598 mV during PE mode for more than 15 seconds.
    • This diagnostic runs continuously.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views or Engine Controls Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Allow the engine to idle at operating temperature. Refer to Scan Tool Data List .
  3. Clear the DTC and record the Freeze/Frame Failure Records.
  4. Observe the affected HO2S parameter with a scan tool.

Is the voltage varying above and below the specified range?

300-600 mV

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

  1. Observe the Freeze Frame/Failure Records for this DTC.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

4

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the affected heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) 1.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Observe the affected HO2S parameter with a scan tool.

Is the voltage within the specified range?

75-115 mV

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

5

Test the HO2S 1 high signal circuit for a short to the HO2S 1 heater low control circuit. Refer to the following:

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Wiring Repairs

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

6

Is the voltage less than the specified value?

75 mV

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 8

7

Test the HO2S 1 high signal circuit for a short to ground or a short to the HO2S 1 low signal circuit. Refer to the following:

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Wiring Repairs

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

8

Inspect for the following conditions that may affect the HO2S operation:

Notice: Refer to Silicon Contamination of Heated Oxygen Sensors Notice in the Preface section.

    • HO2S contamination
    • Engine oil consumption--Refer to Oil Consumption Diagnosis .

Notice: Refer to Heated Oxygen and Oxygen Sensor Notice in the Preface section.

    • Chafed, burnt, cut, pinched, or otherwise damaged HO2S wiring
    • Exhaust system leaks or restrictions
    • Any water intrusion into the HO2S connector
    • Engine coolant consumption--Refer to Loss of Coolant .
    • Any vacuum leaks
    • Any lean fuel injectors--Refer to Fuel Injector Diagnosis .
    • An inaccurate mass air flow (MAF) sensor
    • Evaporative emissions (EVAP) system malfunction--Inspect the EVAP control system. Refer to Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) System Check .
    • Incorrect fuel pressure--Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 9

9

Test for shorted terminals and poor connections at the HO2S 1. Refer to the following:

    •  Connector Repairs

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

10

Test for shorted terminals and poor connections at the powertrain control module (PCM). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

11

Notice: Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor Resistance Learn Reset Notice in the Preface section.

Replace the HO2S 1. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor 1 Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

12

Replace the PCM. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

13

  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 14

14

In order to ensure that the performance of the catalyst has not been affected by the fault that set this DTC, operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running and Setting DTC P0420, and verify that DTC P0420 runs and passes. Refer to DTC P0420 .

Does the DTC run and pass?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to DTC P0420

15

Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle

System OK