GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 154574  Size: MF
Engine Controls Components
Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) #1 and #2
OBD II Symbol Description Notice

Circuit Description

Heated oxygen sensors are used to minimize the amount of time required for closed loop fuel control operation and to allow accurate catalyst monitoring. The oxygen sensor heater greatly decreases the amount of time required for fuel control sensor HO2S 1 to become active. The oxygen sensor heater is required by catalyst monitor sensor HO2S 2 to maintain a sufficiently high temperature. This allows accurate exhaust oxygen content readings further from the engine.

The powertrain control module (PCM) runs the heater test only after a cold start (determined by engine coolant and intake air temperature at the time of startup) and only once during an ignition cycle. When the engine is started the PCM monitors the HO2S voltage. When the HO2S voltage indicates a sufficiently active sensor, the PCM determines the time elapsed since startup. If the PCM determines that too much time was required for the HO2S 1 to become active, a DTC P0135 is set. The time the HO2S should take to reach operating temperature is based upon the engine coolant temperature at start-up and the average Mass Air Flow since startup (higher average airflow or higher startup engine coolant temperature = shorter time to HO2S activity).

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • None of the following DTCs are present:
       - Throttle position (TP) sensor DTCs
       - Evaporative emissions (EVAP) DTCs
       - Intake air temperature (IAT) sensor DTCs
       - Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor DTCs
       - Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) pintle position DTCs
       - Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor DTCs
       - Crankshaft position (CKP) sensor DTCs
       - Mass air flow (MAF) sensor DTCs
       - Misfire DTCs
       - Fuel trim DTCs
       - Fuel injector circuit DTCs
    • The engine run time is more than 3 seconds.
    • The system voltage is between 9 and 16 volts
    • The IAT is less than 35°C (95°F) at startup.
    • The ECT is less than 35°C (95°F) at startup.
    • The IAT and ECT are within 6°C (11°F) of each other at start-up.
    • The average MAF for the sample period is less than 18 g/s.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

HO2S 1 voltage remains within 150 mV of the bias voltage (about 450 mV) for a longer amount of time than it should. The amount of time ranges between 50 and 130 seconds depending on engine coolant temperature at startup and average Mass Air Flow since startup.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the second consecutive trip in which the diagnostic test has run and failed.
    • The PCM stores the conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame and Fail Records data.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The PCM turns the MIL off during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has run and passed.
    • The history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.
    • The DTC may be cleared by using the scan tool Clear Info function or by disconnecting the PCM battery feed.

Diagnostic Aids

Inspect for the following conditions:

    • A faulty connection at the PCM. Inspect the harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and faulty terminal to wire connections.
    • Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the sensor. A change in the display indicates the location of the malfunction.

Reviewing the Fail Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.

Test Description

The number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.

  1. The heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) should be allowed to cool before performing this test. If the HO2S heater is functioning, the signal voltage will gradually increase or decrease as the sensor element warms. If the heater is not functioning, the HO2S signal remains near the 450 mv bias voltage.

  2. Ensures that the ignition feed circuit to the HO2S is not open or shorted. The test lamp should be connected to a good chassis ground, in case the HO2S low or HO2S heater ground circuit is malfunctioning.

  3. Tests the HO2S heater ground circuit.

  4. Tests for an open or shorted HO2S heater element.

    Important:: The heater element resistance varies according to the HO2S temperature (a hot HO2S heater element measures a much higher resistance than a HO2S heater element at room temperature). Allow the HO2S to cool before measuring the HO2S heater element resistance.

  5. An open HO2S signal or low circuit may cause the DTC to set with the HO2S heater operating normally. Test the HO2S signal and the HO2S low circuits before replacing the sensor.

DTC P0135 - HO2S Heater Circuit Sensor 1

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

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

--

Go to Step  2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Important:: If the engine has just been operating, allow the engine to cool for about 1/2 hour before proceeding.

  1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
  2. Use a scan tool in order to monitor the HO2S 1 voltage.

Does the HO2S voltage vary from bias voltage to more than the first specified value or less than the second specified value within 2 minutes?

600 mV

300 mV

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step  3

3

Inspect the fuse for the HO2S 1 ignition feed circuit.

Is the fuse open?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step  4

4

  1. Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
  2. Disconnect the HO2S 1 electrical connector.
  3. Important:: Use a known good ground. Do not use the HO2S 1 heater ground circuit or the HO2S 1 low circuit.

  4. Use a test lamp connected to ground in order to probe the ignition feed circuit at the HO2S 1 electrical connector (PCM harness side).
  5. Turn the ignition to the ON position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step  5

Go to Step  7

5

Connect the test lamp between the HO2S 1 ignition feed circuit and the HO2S 1 heater ground circuit.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step  6

Go to Step  8

6

  1. Allow the HO2S to cool for at least 10 minutes.
  2. Use a digital multimeter in order to measure the resistance between the brown wires (HO2S 1 ignition feed and HO2S 1 heater ground) at the HO2S 1 pigtail.

Is the HO2S heater resistance within the specified values?

4-6 ohms

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 14

7

Repair an open ignition feed circuit to the HO2S 1. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step  16

--

8

Repair an open HO2S 1 heater ground circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step  16

--

9

  1. Check for a poor connection at the HO2S 1 harness terminals.
  2. If a poor connection is found, replace terminals. Refer to Repair Procedures in Heated Oxygen Sensor Wiring Repairs .

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step  16

Go to Step  10

10

  1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
  2. Disconnect the PCM and test continuity of the HO2S 1 signal circuit and the HO2S 1 low circuit.
  3. If the HO2S 1 signal circuit or HO2S low circuit measures over 5 ohms, repair an open or a faulty connection as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step  16

Go to Step  11

11

  1. Inspect for a faulty HO2S 1 signal or low circuit terminal connection at the HO2S 1 harness connector.
  2. If a problem is found, replace the terminal(s) as necessary. Refer to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step  16

Go to Step  12

12

  1. Inspect for a faulty HO2S 1 low circuit terminal connection at the PCM.
  2. If a problem is found, replace the terminal as necessary. Refer to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step  16

Go to Step  13

13

  1. Inspect for a faulty HO2S 1 signal circuit terminal connection at the PCM.
  2. If a problem is found, replace the terminal as necessary. Refer to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step  16

Go to Step  14

14

Replace the HO2S 1. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step  16

--

15

Locate and repair a short to ground in the HO2S 1 ignition feed circuit and replace the fuse. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step  16

--

16

Important: If the engine has just been operating, allow the engine to cool for about 1/2 hour before proceeding.

  1. Clear any DTCs.
  2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
  3. Use the scan tool in order to monitor the HO2S 1 voltage.

Does the HO2S voltage vary from bias voltage to more than the first specified value or less than the second specified value within 2 minutes?

600 mV

300 mV

System OK

Go to Step 2