GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

Heated oxygen sensors (HO2S) are used for fuel control and post catalyst monitoring. Each HO2S compares the oxygen content of the surrounding air with the oxygen content in the exhaust stream. The HO2S must reach operating temperature to provide an accurate voltage signal. Heating elements inside the HO2S minimize the time required for the sensors to reach operating temperature. The powertrain control module (PCM) supplies the HO2S with a reference, or bias, voltage of about 450 mV. When the engine is first started the PCM operates in open loop, ignoring the HO2S voltage signal. Once the HO2S reaches operating temperature and closed loop is achieved, the HO2S generates a voltage within a range of 0-1,000 mV that fluctuates above and below bias voltage. High HO2S voltage indicates a rich exhaust stream; low HO2S voltage indicates a lean exhaust stream. If the PCM detects that the HO2S voltage remains within the bias voltage range, DTC P0134 sets for HO2S bank 1 sensor 1, or DTC P0154 sets HO2S bank 2 sensor 1.

DTC Descriptors

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTCs:

    • DTC P0134 HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Bank 1 Sensor 1
    • DTC P0154 HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Bank 2 Sensor 1

Conditions for Running the DTC

Without RPO JL4

    • DTCs P0101, P0102, P0103, P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0128, P0200, P0442, P0446, P0452, P0453, P0455, P0496, P1258 are not set.
    • The Ignition 1 Signal parameter is between 10-18 volts.
    • The Engine Run Time parameter is more than 300 seconds.

With RPO JL4

    • DTCs P0068, P0101, P0102, P0103, P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0120, P0128, P0169, P0178, P0179, P0200, P0220, P0442, P0446, P0452, P0453, P0455, P0496, P1125, P1258, P1516, P2101, P2108, P2135, U0107 are not set.
    • The Ignition 1 Signal parameter is between 10-18 volts.
    • The Engine Run Time parameter is more than 300 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The PCM detects that the affected HO2S voltage parameter is between 350-550 mV for 60 seconds.

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.
    • The control module commands the Loop Status open.

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.

Test Description

The number below refers to the step number on the diagnostic table.

  1. If the voltage is varying above and below the specified value, the condition is not present.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

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

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

Important: When the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) heaters are commanded ON with a scan tool, they will continue to be pulsed ON once per second until the ignition is turned OFF for 30 seconds.

  1. Turn ON the ignition with the engine OFF.
  2. Command the HO2S heaters ON with a scan tool.
  3. Wait 15 seconds to allow the HO2S heater current to stabilize.
  4. Observe the affected HO2S heater current parameter with a scan tool.

Is the HO2S heater current parameter within the specified range?

0.25-1.375 A

Go to Step 3

Go to DTC P0135, P0141, P0155, or P0161

3

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Allow the engine to reach operating temperature. Refer to Scan Tool Data List .
  3. Operate the engine at 1,500 RPM for 30 seconds.
  4. Observe the affected HO2S voltage parameter with a scan tool.

Is the HO2S voltage parameter varying above and below the specified range?

300-600 mV

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4

  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 5

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the affected HO2S.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Observe the HO2S voltage parameter with a scan tool.

Is the HO2S voltage parameter greater than the specified value?

800 mV

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

6

Measure the voltage from the high signal circuit of the HO2S harness connector on the engine harness side to a good ground with a DMM. Refer to Circuit Testing .

Is the voltage greater than the specified value?

0.2 V

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 9

7

Important: The sensor may be damaged if the circuit is shorted to a voltage source.

Test the HO2S high signal circuit for a short to voltage. Refer to the following procedures:

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Wiring Repairs

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 14

8

Measure the voltage from the low signal circuit of the HO2S harness connector on the engine harness side to a good ground with a DMM. Refer to Circuit Testing .

Is the voltage greater than the specified value?

2 V

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 10

9

Test the HO2S high signal circuit for an open or for high resistance. Refer to the following procedures:

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Wiring Repairs

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 14

10

  1. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the high signal circuit of the HO2S harness connector on the engine harness side and the low signal circuit of the HO2S harness connector on the engine harness side.
  2. Observe the HO2S voltage parameter with a scan tool.

Is the HO2S voltage parameter less than the specified value?

100 mV

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

11

Test the HO2S low signal circuit for an open or for high resistance. Refer to the following procedures:

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Wiring Repairs

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 14

12

Test the HO2S low signal circuit for a short to voltage. Refer to the following procedures:

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Wiring Repairs

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 14

13

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

    •  Connector Repairs

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 15

14

Test for shorted terminals and for poor connections at the powertrain control module (PCM). Refer to the following procedures:

    •  Connector Repairs

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 16

15

Replace the affected HO2S. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 1 Sensor 1 or Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 2 Sensor 1 .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 17

--

16

Replace the PCM. Refer to Control Module References .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 17

--

17

  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 18

18

Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Have any DTCs not been diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle

System OK