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 P0053: O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

DTC P0054:  O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 2)

DTC P0059: O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2 Sensor 1)

DTC P0060: O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2 Sensor 2)

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

High Resistance

Open

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

HO2S Heater Voltage Supply

Opens fuse

P0030, P0036, P0050, P0053, P0054, P0056, P0059, P0060, P0135, P0141, P0155, P0161

P0030, P0036, P0050, P0056, P0135, P0141, P0155, P0161

--

P0135, P0141, P0155, P0161

HO2S Heater Low Control

P0030, P0036

P0030, P0036, P0050, P0053, P0054, P0056, P0059, P0060, P0135, P0141, P0155, P0161

P0030, P0036, P0050, P0056, P0135, P0141, P0155, P0161

P0030, P0036, P0050, P0056, P0135, P0141, P0155, P0161

P0135, P0141, P0155, P0161

Typical Scan Tool Data

HO2S Heater

Circuit

Normal Range

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

HO2S Heater Low Control

1-2 A

0 A

0 A

0 A

HO2S Heater Voltage Supply

1-2 A

0 A

0 A

1-2 A

Circuit/System 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. A heating element inside the HO2S minimizes the time required for the sensor to reach operating temperature. Voltage is provided to the heater by an ignition voltage circuit through a fuse. With the engine running a ground is provided to the heater by the HO2S heater low control circuit through a low side driver within the engine control module (ECM). The ECM commands the heater ON or OFF to maintain a specific HO2S operating temperature range.

The ECM determines the temperature by measuring the current flow through the heater and calculating the resistance. Based on the resistance the ECM can predict the sensor temperature. The sensors use pulse width modulation (PWM) to control the heater operation. The ECM calculates the heater resistance on a cold start. This diagnostic will only run once per ignition cycle. If the control module detects that the heater calculated resistance is not within the expected range, DTC P0053 sets for HO2S bank 1 sensor 1, DTC P0054 sets for HO2S bank 1 sensor 2, DTC P0059 sets for HO2S bank 2 sensor 1 or DTC P0060 sets for HO2S bank 2 sensor 2.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • DTCs P0112, P0113, P0117 and P0118 are not set.
    • The engine is running.
    • The ignition is OFF for more than 10 hours.
    • The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor parameter is between -30 °C and +45 °C (-22 °F and +113 °F) at engine start-up.
    • The ECT Sensor parameter minus the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor parameter is less than 8 °C (14 °F) at engine start-up.
    • DTCs P0053, P0054, P0059 and P0060 run once per drive cycle when the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The ECM detects that the affected HO2S heater low control circuit is not within a specified range at engine start-up.
    • DTCs P0053, P0054, P0059 and P0060 set within one second when the above condition is met.

Action Taken when the DTC Sets

DTCs P0053, P0054, P0059 or P00600 are type B DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

DTCs P0053, P0054, P0059 or P00600 are type B DTCs.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs
    •  Heated Oxygen Sensor Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References

Circuit/System Verification

    • Allow the engine to reach operating temperature. With the engine running, observe the HO2S Heater parameter on the scan tool. The value should vary from below 1 A to above 2 A.
    •  With the engine running observe the HO2S Heater parameter and manipulate the related wiring and connectors.
       ⇒If manipulation does affect the parameter then repair the harness or connector.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the wiring harness connector at the appropriate HO2S.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal and a known ground.
  3. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the B+ circuit fuse is open, replace the HO2S.
  4. Ignition OFF, verify that the test lamp is does not illuminate between the heater low control circuit terminal of the appropriate HO2S and B+.
  5. If the test lamp illuminates, test the low control circuit for a short to ground open/high resistance.
  6. Connect a test lamp between the heater low control circuit terminal of the appropriate HO2S and the B+ circuit.
  7. Ignition On, engine running, the test lamp should be flash or remain illuminated.
  8. If the test lamp is not illuminated, test the low control circuit for a short to voltage or open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  9. Ignition OFF, install a 30-A fusible link wire between the B+ circuit terminal and the heater low control circuit of the appropriate HO2S.
  10. Ignition ON, engine running, using a scan tool observe that the appropriate HO2S heater parameter indicate active.
  11. If the scan tool does not indicate active, test the heater B+ circuit and the low control circuit for resistance greater than 3 ohms. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  12. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the appropriate 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
    •  Engine Control Module Replacement for engine control module replacement, setup and programming.