DTC P0133 O2S Slow Response Sensor 1. Chevrolet Cavalier 1998

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 1998 🢒 Cavalier 🢒 DTC 🢒 DTC P0133 O2S Slow Response Sensor 1

Engine Controls Components
Oxygen Sensors
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) continuously monitors the oxygen sensor 1 (O2S 1) activity for 100 seconds. During the monitor period, the PCM counts the number of times that the O2S 1 switches from rich to lean and from lean to rich, then adds the amount of time that the O2S 1 took to complete all the switches. With this information, an average time for all switches can be determined. Whenever the average time to switch is too slow, a DTC P0133 will set.

Conditions For Setting The DTC

•	DTCs P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0171, P0200, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0341, P0404, P0506, P0507, P0601, P0602 not set.

•	Engine speed is between 1600 RPM and 2600 RPM.

•	Throttle Position (TP) angle is between 9% and 20%.

•	Evaporative emissions control system is commanded open for greater than 40% (Manual).

•	Evaporative emissions control system is commanded open for greater than 80% (Automatic).

•	Purge learned memory is greater than approximately 0.75.

•	The above conditions are present for over 100 seconds.

The average O2S 1 response times are greater than 249mS for rich to lean sweeps or 249mS for lean to rich sweeps.

Ratio of response times is greater than 3.75 or less than 0.4.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

•	The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will illuminate after two consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs with the malfunction present.

•	The PCM will record the operating conditions at the time that the diagnostic fails. This information will store in the Freeze Frame and Failure Records buffers.

•	A history DTC stores.

•	The coolant fan turns ON.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

•	The MIL will turn OFF after three consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs without a fault.

•	A history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles without a fault.

•	The MIL/DTCs can be cleared by using the scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

DTC P0133 or slow response is most likely caused by one of the following items:

•	Fuel pressure--The system will go rich if fuel pressure is to high. The PCM can compensate for some increase, however, if it gets too high, a DTC P0172 may set. Refer to the Fuel System Diagnosis 2.4L Fuel System Diagnosis 2.2L.

•	Leaking injector--A leaking or malfunctioning injector can cause the system to go rich.

•

MAP sensor--An output that causes the PCM to sense a higher than normal manifold pressure (low vacuum) can cause the system to go rich. Disconnecting the MAP sensor will allow the PCM to set a fixed value for the MAP sensor. Substitute a different MAP sensor if the rich condition is gone while the MAP sensor is disconnected.

•	Pressure regulator--Check for a leaking fuel pressure regulator diaphragm by checking for the presence of liquid fuel in the vacuum line to the fuel pressure regulator.

•	TP sensor--An intermittent TP sensor output can cause the system to go rich due to a false indication of the engine accelerating.

•

O2S 1 contamination--Inspect the O2S 1 for silicone contamination from fuel or the use of improper RTV sealant. The O2S 1 sensor may have a white powdery coating and result in a high but false voltage signal (rich exhaust indication). The PCM will then reduce the amount of fuel delivered to the engine causing a severe surge or driveability problem.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the Diagnostic Table.

The Powertrain OBD System Check prompts the technician to complete some of the basic checks and store the freeze frame and failure records data on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data taken when the malfunction occurred. The information then stores in the scan tool for later reference.

Reprogram the replacement PCMs and perform the crankshaft position system variation procedure. Refer to PCM Replacement/Programming for PCM programming and the CKP System Variation Learn Procedure for the crankshaft position system variation learn procedure.

If no malfunctions have been found at this point and no additional DTCs were set, refer to the Diagnostic Aids for additional checks and information.

DTC P0133-Oxygen Sensor (O2S) Circuit Slow Response (Sensor 1)

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check for 2.4L or Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check for 2.2L

Install a scan tool.
Turn ON the ignition switch leaving the engine OFF.

Were there any component DTCs set?

Go to Component DTC tables

Go to Step 3

Start the engine.
Allow the engine to reach the normal operating temperature.
Operate the vehicle within the parameters specified under Conditions For setting the DTC.
Monitor the Lean/Rich Avg. (mS), Rich/Lean Avg. (mS), and Rich/Lean to Lean/Rich Ratio on the O2S 1 (greater than, less than).

Do the parameters show averages less than the specified values or ratios less than or greater than the specified values?

249 ms

0.2

6.0

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 17

Turn OFF the ignition switch.

Caution: Avoid contact with moving parts and hot surfaces while working around a running engine in order to prevent physical injury.

Visually/physical inspect the following items:

•	O2S 1 is securely installed.

•	Check for corrosion on the terminals.

•	Check for terminal tension (At O2S 1 and at the PCM).

•	Check the O2S 1 ground circuit for a good connection.

•	Check for damaged wiring.

Was a problem found in any of the above areas?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 5

Caution: Avoid contact with moving parts and hot surfaces while working around a running engine in order to prevent physical injury.

Check the exhaust manifold for an exhaust leak near the engine.
Repair the leak as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 6

Caution: Avoid contact with moving parts and hot surfaces while working around a running engine in order to prevent physical injury.

Disconnect the O2S 1 electrical connector.
Turn ON the ignition switch leaving the engine OFF.
Monitor the O2S 1 voltage with the scan tool.

Does the scan tool voltage indicate voltage within specified values?

407-509 mV

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 10

Connect a jumper wire to the O2S 1 signal circuit terminal (PCM side) to ground.
Monitor the O2S 1 voltage with the scan tool.

Does the scan tool voltage indicate the voltage below the specified value?

200 mV

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 11

Notice: Determine and correct the cause of the contamination in order to prevent damage to the replacement sensors.

Turn OFF the ignition switch.

Caution: Avoid contact with moving parts and hot surfaces while working around a running engine in order to prevent physical injury.

Replace the Oxygen Sensor (O2S 1). Refer to Oxygen Sensor Replacement for 2.4L or Oxygen Sensor Replacement for 2.2L.

Is the action complete?

Go to Step 17

Repair the condition as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?

Go to Step 17

Turn OFF the ignition switch.
Repair the short to ground in the O2S 1 sensor signal circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?

Go to Step 17

Remove the jumper wire.
Connect a DMM between the O2S 1 signal circuit and ground.
Measure the voltage between the O2S 1 signal circuit (PCM side) and ground.

Does the O2S 1 voltage measure above the specified value?

407 mV

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 13

Turn OFF the ignition switch.
Disconnect the PCM electrical connectors.
Check the O2S 1 low circuit for continuity.
If the O2S 1 low circuit measures over the stated value, repair the following condition(s) as necessary: Refer to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

•	Open circuit

•	Poor electrical connection

Was repair necessary?

5ohms

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 14

Turn OFF the ignition switch.
Disconnect the PCM electrical connectors.
Check the O2S 1 sensor signal circuit for continuity between the PCM electrical connector and the O2S 1 sensor electrical connector.
If the O2S 1 sensor signal circuit measures over the specified value, repair the following condition(s) as necessary: Refer to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

•	Open circuit

•	Poor electrical connection

Was a repair necessary?

5ohms

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 15

Check the O2S 1 sensor low circuit terminal electrical connection at the PCM.
Replace the terminal if necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did the terminal require replacement?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 16

Check the O2S 1 sensor signal circuit terminal connection at the PCM.
Replace the terminal if necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did the terminal require replacement?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 16

Replace the PCM. Refer to PCM Replacement .

Is the action complete?

Go to Step 17

Clear the DTCs with the scan tool.
Start the engine.
Allow the engine to idle at the normal operating temperature.
Operate the vehicle within the conditions for setting this DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the scan tool indicate that this diagnostic ran and passed?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 2

Check to see if any additional DTC are set.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed?

Go to the applicable DTC table

System OK

Go to Diagnostic Aids