Circuit Description
The VCM supplies a voltage of approximately 0.45 volt (450 mV) between the HO2S High and the HO2S Low circuits.
Important: If the voltage is measured with a 10 megohm digital voltmeter, the voltage may read as low as 0.32 volt. The Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) varies the voltage from approximately 1.0 volt (1000 mV) during rich conditions to 0.10 volt (100 mV) during lean conditions.
The VCM has the capability to monitor this process by using the Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S Bank 1, Sensor 2). The HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 2), located in the exhaust stream before the catalytic converter, produces an output signal which indicates the storage capacity of the catalyst; this in turn indicates the catalysts ability to convert the exhaust emissions effectively. If the catalyst is functioning properly, the HO2S signal will be far less active than the signal produced by the Heated Oxygen Sensor (Bank 1, Sensor 1).
When the HO2S temperature measures below 360°C (600°F), the sensor will not produce any voltage and will behave like an open circuit. This will result in an Open Loop operation.
The HO2S heater provides for a faster sensor warm-up which allows the sensor to become active in a shorter period of time and remain active during long extended idle. The DTC P0141 determines if the HO2S is functioning properly by checking the response time of the sensor. This DTC is a type B DTC.
Conditions for Setting the DTC
| • | The system voltage is greater than 9.0 volts but less than 17.0 volts. |
| • | The MAF is less than 27 grams per second. |
| • | The engine run time is greater than 2 seconds. |
| • | The ECT sensor is less than 32°C. |
| • | The IAT is less than 32°C. |
| • | The deference between the ECT and IAT is no more than 5°C. |
| • | The elapsed time to obtain the ±0.150 volts from the HO2S bias voltage (0.300-0.600 volts) is greater than the calculated value. |
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
The VCM turns the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ON after 2 consecutive test failures.
Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
The VCM turns OFF the MIL after 3 consecutive driving trips without a fault condition present. A history DTC will clear if no fault conditions have been detected for 40 warm-up cycles (the coolant temperature has risen 22°C (40°F) from the start-up coolant temperature and the engine coolant temperature exceeds 71°C (160°F) during that same ignition cycle) or the scan tool clearing feature has been used.
Diagnostic Aids
A rubbed through wire insulation or a wire contacting the exhaust may cause an intermittent.
Check for a poor connection or damaged harness. Inspect the harness connectors for the following conditions:
| • | Backed out terminals |
| • | Improper mating |
| • | Broken locks |
| • | Improperly formed or damaged terminals |
| • | A poor terminal to wire connection |
| • | A damaged harness |
Never solder the HO2S wires. For proper wire and connector repairs, refer to Wiring Repairs in Engine Electrical.
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
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This step determines if the DTC P0141 is the result of a hard failure or an intermittent condition. With the ignition switch ON leaving the engine off, the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 2) voltage displayed on the scan tool should gradually change to 0.300 volt. This indicates that the heater is working properly. The HO2S voltage can rise as high as 975 mV (0.975 volts) before it toggles back down. The main thing to look for is a change.
-
Probing the terminal D of the HO2S 2 connector verifies if the voltage is available to the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 2) heater.
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If the voltage exists at the connector, then it becomes a good voltage source to check for a ground at the terminal C.
-
This step determines if the voltage does not exist at the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 2) because of an open ignition feed circuit. If the fuse is open, determine if it was caused by a short in the ignition feed circuit before replacing the fuse.
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Important: Before clearing DTCs, use the scan tool in order to record freeze frame and the failure records for reference because the Clear Info function will lose the data. Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed? | -- | ||
Does the voltage displayed gradually decrease by the specified value? | 0.300 V (300 mV) | |||
Is the test lamp on? | -- | |||
Connect a test lamp between the terminals C and D of the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 2) sensor connector. Is the test lamp on? | -- | |||
5 | The DTC is intermittent. Are any additional DTCs stored? | -- | Go to The Applicable DTC Table | Refer to Diagnostic Aids |
Check for an open in the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 2) sensor fuse. Is the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 2) fuse open? | -- | |||
7 | Check the connections at the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 2) sensor. Was a problem found? | -- | ||
8 | Check the connections at the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 2) sensor. Was a problem found? | -- | ||
9 | Check the connections at the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 2). Was a problem found? | -- | ||
10 | Repair the open HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 2) sensor ground circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Engine Electrical. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
11 | Check for an open at the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 2) sensor ignition feed circuit. Was a problem found? | -- | -- | |
12 | Repair the faulty connection. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Engine Electrical. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
13 | Repair the open in the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 2) sensor ignition feed circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Engine Electrical. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
14 |
Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
15 | Replace the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 2) sensor. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
16 |
Does the scan tool indicate that this diagnostic ran and passed? | -- | -- | |
17 | Using the scan tool, select the Capture Info and the Review Info. Are any DTCs displayed that have not been diagnosed? | -- | Go to The Applicable DTC Table | System OK |
