GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    •  Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P2271: HO2S Signal Stuck Rich Sensor 2

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

HO2S 2 Signal

P0137, P2096

P0140

P0138

--

HO2S 2 Low Reference

--

P0140

--

--

Circuit Description

The engine control module (ECM) supplies a voltage near 450 mV between the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) high signal circuit and the low reference circuit. The HO2S varies the voltage over a range from about 1,000 mV when the exhaust is rich, down through about 10 mV when the exhaust is lean.

The ECM monitors the HO2S voltage to determine if the signal voltage goes below a predetermined threshold within a certain amount of time. If the ECM determines that the signal voltage remains above a threshold, the ECM commands a lean condition. If the signal voltage does not go below the threshold within a certain amount of time after commanding the system lean, this DTC sets.

The ECM monitors the HO2S voltage during fuel cut-off. If the ECM determines that the signal voltage is greater than a predetermined voltage during fuel cut-off, this DTC sets.

Conditions for Running the DTCs

    • Before the ECM can report DTC P2271 failed, DTCs P0341, P0342, P0343, P0346, P0347, P0348, P0366, P0367, P0368, P0391, P0392, P0393, P0443, P0458, and P0459 must run and pass.
    • DTCs P0300-P0306, P0442, P0455, P0496, P0560, P0562, and P0563 are not set.
    • The engine is operating.
    • The rear heated oxygen sensor is at operating temperature for greater than 10 seconds.
    • The HO2S 2 is in closed loop.
    • The HO2S 2 heating is stable for greater than 10 seconds.
    • The HO2S 2 is greater than a calculated temperature for at least 30 seconds.
    • The calculated exhaust temperature is greater than 350°C (662°F).
    • The mass air flow (MAF) sensor is between 6-33 g/s for greater than 3 seconds during the intrusive test.
    • The measured airflow is greater than 15 g during the decel fuel cut-off test.
    • DTC P2271 runs continuously once the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTCs

If the ECM detects that the HO2S 2 voltage is greater than a range of 582-640 mV for greater than 100 seconds, then an intrusive test is performed. The ECM will lean the fuel mixture up to -7 percent and then wait for 10 seconds at -7 percent. If the ECM detects that the HO2S 2 voltage is still greater than the specified range, the ECM then tests the HO2S 2 at the next decel fuel cut-off. If the ECM detects the HO2S 2 voltage is greater than 140 mV after 4 seconds in decel fuel cut-off, this DTC sets.

Action Taken when the DTCs Set

DTC  P2271 is a Type B DTC.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTCs

DTC  P2271 is a Type B DTC.

Diagnostic Aids

The following table illustrates the ECM connector locations:

ECM Connector Location

X2

X1

Front of Vehicle

    • The rear HO2S will not go into Closed Loop when the engine is idling. Once the HO2S are at operating temperature, and the vehicle is moving, the rear HO2S will go into Closed Loop.
    • A fuel delivery condition causes this DTC to set. Thoroughly inspect all items that cause a rich condition.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

    Important: Inspect the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) for being secure before proceeding with this DTC. A sensor that is loose could cause this DTC to set.

  1. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool DTC information. Verify DTCs P0137, P0138, or P0140 are not set.
  2. If any of the above DTCs are set, refer to DTC P0137, P0138, or P0140 for further diagnosis.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the conditions for running the DTC to verify the DTC does not reset. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that are captured in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records Data List.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Engine idling, raise the engine speed to greater than 1,200 RPM for greater than 30 seconds. Observe the scan tool HO2S 2 voltage parameter. Verify the parameter is less than 1,050 mV.
  2. If greater than the specified range, test the HO2S 2 high signal circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  3. Move the related HO2S 2 harnesses between the HO2S harness connector and the engine control module (ECM). Observe the scan tool HO2S 2 voltage parameter. Verify the parameter does not change abruptly.
  4. If the parameter changes abruptly, repair the harness as necessary.
  5. Verify that none of the following conditions exist:
  6. • Collapsed air intake duct
    • Restricted air filter element
    • Mass air flow (MAF) sensor for foreign objects
    • Rich fuel injectors--Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test with Special Tool or Fuel Injector Balance Test with Tech 2
    • Water intrusion in the HO2S harness connector
    • HO2S wiring harness damage
    • Incorrect fuel system pressure--Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis
    • Fuel that is contaminated--Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis
    • Exhaust leaks near the HO2S--Refer to Exhaust Leakage
    • Excessive fuel in the crankcase. Change the oil as necessary
         ⇒If you find any of the above conditions, repair as necessary.
  7. If all conditions test normal, replace the HO2S 2.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Heated Oxygen Sensor 2 Replacement
    •  Control Module References for engine control module replacement, setup, and programming