GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

Heated oxygen sensors (HO2S) are used for fuel control and catalyst monitoring. Each HO2S compares the oxygen content of the surrounding air with the oxygen content of the exhaust stream. When the vehicle is started, the control module operates in an Open Loop mode, ignoring the HO2S signal voltage while calculating the air-to-fuel ratio. The control module supplies the HO2S with a reference, or bias, voltage of approximately 450 mV. While the engine runs, the HO2S heats up and begins to generate a voltage within a range of 0-1,100 mV. This voltage will fluctuate above and below the bias voltage. Once sufficient HO2S voltage fluctuation is observed by the control module, Closed Loop is entered. The control module uses the HO2S voltage to determine the air-to-fuel ratio. An HO2S voltage that increases above bias voltage toward 1,100 mV indicates a rich fuel mixture. An HO2S voltage that decreases below bias voltage toward 0 mV indicates a lean fuel mixture.

The heating elements within each HO2S heat the sensor. This allows the system to enter Closed Loop earlier and the control module to calculate air-to-fuel ratio quicker.

The HO2S 2 is used for catalyst monitoring. This diagnostic runs once per ignition cycle. This diagnostic has two phases for running the DTC, a passive test and an intrusive test. If the HO2S 2 voltage transitions below 286 mV and above 703 mV during the passive test, the DTC will pass for this ignition cycle. If the DTC does not pass during the passive test and too much time has elapsed since startup, the intrusive test will begin. The control module will adjust the air-to-fuel ratio during the intrusive test. As the air-to-fuel ratio is adjusted to rich and/or lean, the control module waits for a predicted response from the HO2S 2. If the HO2S 2 voltage transitions below 286 mV and/or above 703 mV, the diagnostic will pass for this ignition cycle. If the control module does not receive the expected response from the HO2S 2, DTC P0136 will set.

Conditions for Running the DTC

DTCs P0101, P0102, P0103, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0128, P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0135, P0140, P0141, P0201-P0206, P0300, P0401, P0442, P0443, P0446, P0449, P0455, P0496, P1133, P1134 are not set.

Passive Test

    • The engine is running.
    • The engine run time is more than 6 seconds.

Intrusive Test

    • The Engine Run Time parameter is more than 6.5 minutes.
    • The system voltage is between 9-18 volts.
    • The Engine Speed parameter is between 1,000-3,000 RPM.
    • The MAF Sensor parameter is between 13-50 g/s.
    • The Vehicle Speed Sensor parameter is between 32-128 km/h (20-80 mph).
    • The Short Term Fuel Trim parameter is between 2-5.3 percent.
    • The evaporative emission (EVAP) purge is not active.
    • The above conditions have been met for at least 2.5 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The HO2S 2 is between 286-703 mV during the passive test.
    • One of the following tests fail:

Lean Intrusive Test

       - The PCM detects that the HO2S 2 is more than 286 mV for 13 seconds.
       - The HO2S 1 is less than 100 mV.
       - OR

Rich Intrusive Test

       - The PCM detects that the HO2S 2 is less than 703 mV for more than 13 seconds.
       - The HO2S 1 is less than 777 mV.

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.

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-Engine Controls?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

Is DTC P0138 or DTC P0140 also set?

--

Go to DTC P0138 or DTC P0140

Go to Step 3

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. While observing the HO2S 2 parameter with a scan tool, quickly cycle the throttle from closed throttle to wide open throttle, 3 times.

Did the voltage vary above and below the specified range?

286-703 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 Intermittent Conditions

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) 2 connector.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Measure the voltage from the HO2S 2 low signal circuit, on the engine harness side, to a good ground with a DMM. Refer to Circuit Testing in Wiring Systems.

Is the voltage more than the specified value?

5 V

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the HO2S 2 low signal circuit, on the engine harness side, and a good ground.
  2. Measure the voltage between the HO2S 2 high signal circuit, on the engine harness side, and a good ground with a DMM.

Is the voltage more than the specified value?

410 mV

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 7

7

With the jumper wire from the previous step still connected, observe the HO2S 2 parameter with a scan tool.

Is the voltage less than the specified value?

15 mV

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 8

8

  1. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the HO2S 2 high signal circuit, on the engine harness side, and a good ground.
  2. Observe the HO2S 2 parameter with a scan tool.

Is the voltage less than the specified value?

15 mV

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

9

Test the HO2S 2 low signal circuit for a short to voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 14

10

Test the HO2S 2 low signal circuit for high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 14

11

Test the HO2S 2 high signal circuit for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 14

12

Test the HO2S 2 high signal circuit for high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 14

13

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the HO2S 2. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections , Connector Repairs , and Heated Oxygen Sensor Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 15

14

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the powertrain control module (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 17

Go to Step 16

15

Replace the HO2S 2. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor 2 Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 17

--

16

Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement .

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.

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK