Circuit Description
The heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) is a sensor designed to create a voltage relative to the oxygen content in the engine exhaust stream. The control module supplies the HO2S with signal high and low circuits. Ignition voltage and ground are supplied to the HO2S heater by independent circuits. The oxygen content of the exhaust indicates when the engine is operating lean or rich. When the HO2S detects that the engine is operating rich, the signal voltage is high and decreases the signal voltage as the engine runs leaner. This oscillation above and below the bias voltage sometimes referred to as activity or switching, can be monitored with the HO2S signal voltage.
The HO2S contains a heater that is necessary in order to quickly warm the sensor to operating temperature and to maintain the operating temperature during extended idle conditions. The HO2S needs to be at a high temperature in order to produce a voltage. Once the HO2S has reached operating temperature, the control module monitors the HO2S bias, or reference, voltage as well as the HO2S signal voltage for Closed Loop fuel control. During normal Closed Loop fuel control operation, the control module will add fuel or enrich the mixture when the HO2S detects a lean exhaust content and subtract fuel, or lean-out the mixture when the HO2S detects a rich exhaust condition.
Certain vehicle models utilize an oxygen sensor after the catalytic converter in order to monitor catalyst efficiency.
This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) determines if the HO2S is functioning properly by checking for an adequate number of HO2S voltage transitions above and below the bias range of 300-600 mV. This DTC sets when the powertrain control module (PCM) fails to detect a minimum number of voltage transitions above and below the bias range during the test period. Possible causes of this DTC are listed below:
| • | An open or a short to voltage on either the HO2S high signal circuits or the HO2S low reference circuits |
| • | A malfunctioning HO2S |
| • | A problem in the HO2S heater or its circuit |
| • | A poor HO2S ground |
| • | An open HO2S low reference circuit |
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | DTCs P0101, P0102, P0103, P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0125, P0128, P0200, P0300, P0351-P0358, P0401, P0404, P0405, P0410, P0418, P0443, P0446, P0449, P1120, P1220, P1221, P1258, or P1404 are not set. |
| • | The secondary air injection (AIR) and the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) diagnostics are not active. |
| • | The system voltage is above 9 volts. |
| • | The engine has been running for more than 409 seconds. |
| • | The system is in Closed Loop. |
| • | The fuel level is above 10 percent. |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
| • | The change in the throttle position (TP) indicated angle is more than 5 percent for 1 second for 6 samples. |
| • | The heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) voltage is between 400-475 mV for more than 1 minute. |
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. |
Diagnostic Aids
| Important: Never solder the HO2S wires. For proper wire and connection repairs, refer to Wiring Repairs or Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems. |
| • | A malfunctioning HO2S heater or heater circuit--With the ignition ON and the engine OFF, the HO2S voltage displayed on a scan tool should gradually drop to below 0.150 volt, indicating that the heater works properly. If not, disconnect the HO2S and connect a test lamp between the terminals C and D. If the test lamp does not light, repair the open in the HO2S ground circuit or the HO2S ignition 1 voltage circuit. If the test lamp illuminates, replace the HO2S. |
| • | The intermittent test--Use a scan tool in order to monitor this HO2S signal voltage. Move the related connectors and the wiring harness with a warm engine running at part throttle in Closed Loop. If the failure is induced, the HO2S signal voltage reading changes from its normal fluctuating voltage above 600 mV and below 300 mV, to a fixed value around 450 mV. This may help to isolate the location of the malfunction. |
If the problem is intermittent, refer to Intermittent Conditions .
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
-
After the HO2S heater is commanded ON, the HO2S heater heats up causing the HO2S signal voltage to either increase or decrease. This indicates that the HO2S heater is OK.
-
If the test lamp illuminates, the low reference circuit between the HO2S and PCM terminal C1-63 is OK and the PCM low reference terminal is OK.
-
If the voltage is below the specified value, the high signal circuit, the low reference circuit, and the PCM are OK.
-
The opposite bank HO2S must be disconnected to isolate a short to ground in the HO2S heater high control circuit.
-
Resistance within the specified range indicates the HO2S heater is OK.
Step | Action | Values | Yes | No | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics | ||||||||
1 | Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls? | -- | Go to Step 2 | |||||
|
Important: Allow the engine to cool for one-half hour before proceeding with this diagnostic. This allows the HO2S signal voltage to return to bias voltage, approximately 447 mV.
Does the HO2S voltage go from bias voltage to more than or less than the specified range? | 350-550 mV | Go to Step 3 | Go to Step 5 | |||||
3 |
Does the HO2S voltage vary outside the specified range? | 350-550 mV | Go to Step 4 | Go to Step 5 | ||||
4 |
Does the DTC fail this ignition? | -- | Go to Step 5 | Go to diagnostic aids | ||||
5 | Are both DTCs P0140 and P0160 set? | -- | Go to Step 6 | Go to Step 7 | ||||
Does the test lamp illuminate? | -- | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 10 | |||||
Is the HO2S voltage less than the specified value? | 200 mV | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 8 | |||||
8 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 21 | Go to Step 9 | ||||
9 | Test for an open between terminal A of the affected sensor harness connector and one of the following PCM terminals:
Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 21 | Go to Step 17 | ||||
10 |
Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 21 | Go to Step 17 | ||||
Does the test lamp illuminate? | -- | Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 13 | |||||
12 |
Does the test lamp illuminate? | -- | Go to Step 14 | Go to Step 16 | ||||
13 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 21 | Go to Step 17 | ||||
14 |
Important: Perform the following test on HO2S bank 1 sensor 2 and HO2S bank 2 sensor 2. A condition in either sensor will cause this DTC to set. Test the HO2S heater high control circuit, sensor side, for a short to the HO2S body. Refer to Circuit Testing in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 20 | Go to Step 15 | ||||
|
Important: Perform the following test on HO2S bank 1 sensor 2 and HO2S bank 2 sensor 2. A condition in either sensor will cause this DTC to set. Measure the resistance between the HO2S heater high control circuit, sensor side, and the HO2S heater low control circuit, sensor side. Refer to Circuit Testing in Wiring Systems. Does the resistance of either sensor measure above or below the specified range? | 2-50 ohms | Go to Step 20 | Go to Step 18 | |||||
16 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 21 | Go to Step 17 | ||||
17 | Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the PCM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 21 | Go to Step 19 | ||||
18 | Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the affected HO2S. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 21 | Go to Step 20 | ||||
19 | Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | -- | Go to Step 21 | -- | ||||
20 | Replace the affected HO2S. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 1 Sensor 2 or Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 2 Sensor 2 . Did you complete the replacement? | -- | Go to Step 21 | -- | ||||
21 |
Does the DTC run and pass? | -- | Go to Step 22 | Go to Step 2 | ||||
22 | With a scan tool observe the stored information, Capture Info. Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed? | -- | System OK | |||||
