GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) heater is a device used in order to reduce the time that the sensor takes to go active. The HO2S bank 1 sensor 2 heater helps to maintain the sensor at the proper temperature for catalyst testing, and additional adjustments to fuel trim. The HO2S heater receives power through a fused ignition circuit. The powertrain control module (PCM) turns the heater ON and OFF using a low side driver output driver module (ODM) located within the PCM.

The PCM will test the heater only after a cold start. The PCM determines a cold start based on the difference between the engine coolant temperature (ECT) at the last key OFF, and the ECT at the current key ON. When the HO2S voltage indicates a sufficiently active sensor, the PCM looks at how much time has elapsed since start-up. If the PCM determines that too much time was required for the sensor to become active, this DTC will set. The amount of time for the sensor to reach operating temperature is based on the ECT at start-up and the average mass air flow (MAF) since start-up (more air flow and/or higher start-up ECT results in a shorter time to sensor activity).

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • DTCs P0137, P0138, or P0140 are not set.
    • The difference between ECT at last key OFF and the current key ON indicates a cold start.
    • The system voltage is between 10-18 volts.
    • The average MAF is less than 30 grams per second.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The HO2S bank 1 sensor 2 voltage remains within 150 mV of the bias voltage (approximately 450 mV) for a longer amount of time than expected. The amount of time for the sensor to reach operating temperature is based on the ECT at start-up, and the average mass air flow since start-up for a maximum time of 2500 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.

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

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. With a scan tool, clear the DTCs.
  3. With a scan tool, monitor the DTC information for 30 seconds.

Does DTC P0036 set?

--

Go to DTC P0036

Go to Step 3

3

  1. With a scan tool, command the HO2S heater driver 4 ON.
  2. With a scan tool, monitor the HO2S bank 1 sensor 2 voltage parameter.

Does the scan tool indicate the HO2S voltage varying outside the specified range?

400-500 mV

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4

  1. Review and record scan tool Failure Records.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Failure Records conditions.
  3. With a scan tool, monitor the Specific DTC Information for this DTC until the test runs.

Does the scan tool indicate this DTC passed?

--

Go to Intermittent Conditions

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  3. Disconnect the HO2S bank 1 sensor 2 harness connector. Refer to Oxygen Sensor Wiring Harness Heat Shield Replacement in Engine Exhaust.
  4. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  5. Connect a jumper wire between the HO2S bank 1 sensor 2 high signal and low signal circuits on the PCM side.
  6. With a scan tool, observe the HO2S bank 1 sensor 2 voltage display on the scan tool.

Does the scan tool indicate the HO2S bank 1 sensor 2 voltage is below the specified value?

150 mV

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 6

6

Connect a jumper wire between the HO2S bank 1 sensor 2 high signal circuit and a good ground.

Does the scan tool indicate the HO2S bank 1 sensor 2 voltage is below the specified value?

150 mV

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the PCM connector. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement .
  3. Test the HO2S bank 1 sensor 2 high signal circuit for an open. Refer to Testing for Continuity and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

8

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the PCM connector. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement .
  3. Test the HO2S bank 1 sensor 2 low signal circuit for an open. Refer to Testing for Continuity and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

9

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the HO2S bank 1 sensor 2. 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 13

Go to Step 11

10

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the 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 13

Go to Step 12

11

Notice: Contamination of the oxygen sensor can result from the use of an inappropriate RTV sealant (not oxygen sensor safe) or excessive engine coolant or oil consumption. Remove the HO2S and visually inspect the portion of the sensor exposed to the exhaust stream in order to check for contamination. If contaminated, the portion of the sensor exposed to the exhaust stream will have a white powdery coating. Silicon contamination causes a high but false HO2S signal voltage (rich exhaust indication). The control module will then reduce the amount of fuel delivered to the engine, causing a severe driveability problem. Eliminate the source of contamination before replacing the oxygen sensor.

Important: Determine the cause of contamination before replacing the sensor.

  1. Inspect and test for the following conditions:
  2. • Fuel contamination--Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .
    • Engine oil or coolant consumption--Refer to Oil Pressure Diagnosis and Testing in Engine Mechanical.
    • Use of improper RTV sealant
  3. Replace the affected HO2S. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 1 Sensor 1 .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

12

Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

13

  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 as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC run and pass?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step  2

14

With a scan tool, observe the stored information, Capture Info.

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

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK