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 P0135: HO2S Heater Performance Bank 1 Sensor 1

DTC P0141: HO2S Heater Performance Bank 1 Sensor 2

DTC P0155: HO2S Heater Performance Bank 2 Sensor 1

DTC P0161: HO2S Heater Performance Bank 2 Sensor 2

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Ignition Voltage Supply - HO2S Bank 1 and 2 Sensor 1

P0030, P0031, P0050, P0051

P0050, P0051, P0134, P0135, P0154, P0155

--

--

Ignition Voltage Supply - HO2S Bank 1 and 2 Sensor 2

P0036, P0037, P0056, P0057

P0036, P0037, P0056, P0057, P0140, P0160

--

--

HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 1 Heater Control

P0031

P0030, P0134

P0032

P0135

HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 2 Heater Control

P0037

P0036, P0140

P0038

P0141

HO2S Bank 2 Sensor 1 Heater Control

P0051

P0050, P0154

P0052

P0155

HO2S Bank 2 Sensor 2 Heater Control

P0057

P0056, P0160

P0058

P0161

Circuit Description

The heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) heater reduces the time required for the oxygen sensor to reach operating temperature and maintains the operating temperature during extended idle periods. When the ignition is turned to the ON position, ignition voltage is supplied directly to the sensor heater. The engine control module (ECM) controls the heater operation by first modulating the control circuit to ground when the sensors are cold. This prevents the possibility of thermal shock to the sensor, from condensation build-up on the sensor, by controlling the sensor's rate of heating. After a predetermined amount of time, the ECM commands the heaters ON continuously. Once the sensor reaches operating temperature, the ECM may modulate the heater control circuit to ground to maintain a desired temperature. The ECM controls the heater by grounding the control circuit with a solid state device called a driver. The driver is equipped with a feedback circuit that is pulled up to voltage. The ECM can determine if the control circuit is open, shorted to ground, or shorted to a voltage by monitoring the feedback voltage.

Conditions for Running the DTC

P0135 or P0155

    • Before the ECM can report DTC P0135 or P0155 failed, P0030, P0031, P0032, P0050, P0051, and P0052 must run and pass.
    • DTC P0130, P0131, P0132, P0134, P0150, P0151, P0152, or P0154 is not set.
    • The engine speed is greater than 240 RPM.
    • The ignition voltage is 10-18 volts.
    • The intake air temperature (IAT) is greater than -30°C (-22°F).
    • After the previous ignition cycle the engine OFF time was greater than 2 minutes, 0 seconds for LLT.
    • The calculated exhaust temperature is between 300-750°C (572-1,382°F).
    • The calculated exhaust temperature is colder than 750°C (1,382°F), for LLT.
    • The engine is not in decel fuel cut-off (DFCO).
    • The HO2S 1 is at operating temperature for greater than 10 seconds.
    • The internal HO2S 1 resistance is less than 10,000 ohms.
    • The HO2S 1 heater is enabled for greater than 120 seconds.
    • DTCs P0135 and P0155 run continuously once the above conditions are met for approximately 100 seconds.

P0141 or P0161

    • Before the ECM can report DTC P0141 or P0161 failed, DTCs P0036, P0037, P0038, P0056, P0057, and P0058 must run and pass.
    • DTCs P0137, P0138, P0140, P0157, P0158, or P0160 are not set.
    • The engine speed is greater than 240 RPM.
    • The ignition voltage is 10-18 volts.
    • The intake air temperature (IAT) is greater than -30°C (-22°F).
    • After the previous ignition cycle the engine OFF time was greater than 0 seconds.
    • The calculated exhaust temperature is 300-750°C (572-1,382°F), 300-700°C (572-1,292°F) for LLT.
    • The engine is not in decel fuel cut-off (DFCO).
    • The internal HO2S 2 resistance is less than 10,000 ohms.
    • The HO2S 2 heater is enabled for greater than 120 seconds.
    • DTCs P0141 and P0161 run continuously once the above conditions are met for approximately 100 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0135 or P0155

The ECM detects that the internal resistance of the HO2S 1 heater is not within the expected range for greater than 12 seconds.

P0141 or P0161

The ECM detects that the internal resistance of the HO2S 2 heater is not within the expected range for greater than 6 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTCs P0135, P0141, P0155, and P0161 are Type B DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

DTCs P0135, P0141, P0155, and P0161 are Type B DTCs.

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

    Note: It may take up to 8 minutes for the DTC to set.

  1. With the engine at normal operating temperature, operate the engine above 1,200 RPM for 2 minutes and then allow the engine to idle. DTCs P0135, P0141, P0155, or P0161 should not set.
  2. 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 you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate HO2S.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ignition circuit terminal C and ground.
  3. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ignition circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the ignition circuit fuse is open, test all the components connected to the ignition circuit and replace as necessary.
  4. Ignition OFF, connect a test lamp between the heater control circuit terminal D and B+. The test light should not illuminate.
  5. If the test lamp illuminates, test the heater control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit/connections test normal, replace the ECM.
  6. Idle the engine, verify the test lamp illuminates or flashes.
  7. If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit/connections test normal, replace the ECM.

    Note: The control circuit for the HO2S heater is pulled-up to voltage within the ECM, 2.0-3.0 V on the control circuit is normal.

  8. Ignition ON, test for 2.0-3.0 V between the control circuit terminal D and ground.
  9. If not within the specified range, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit/connections test normal, replace the ECM.
  10. If all circuits/connections test normal, test or replace the HO2S.

Component Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate HO2S.
  2. Test for 5-25 Ω between terminals C and D of the HO2S.
  3. If not within the specified range, replace the HO2S.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 1 Sensor 1
    •  Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 1 Sensor 2
    •  Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 2 Sensor 1
    •  Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 2 Sensor 2
    •  Control Module References for engine control module replacement, setup, and programming