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 P0131: O2S Circuit Low Voltage

DTC P0132: O2S Circuit High Voltage

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

O2S Signal

P0131

P0131, P0134

P0132

--

Low Reference

--

P0131, P0134

P0132

--

Typical Scan Tool Data

O2S

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Operating Conditions: Engine operating in Closed Loop.

Parameter Normal Range: Fluctuates above and below 350-500 mV.

Sensor Signal

0-60 mV

400-415 mV

5000 mV

Low Reference

--

400-415 mV

5000 mV

Circuit Description

The oxygen sensor (O2S) is used for fuel control. The O2S compares the oxygen content of the surrounding air with the oxygen content of the exhaust stream. When the engine is started, the control module operates in an Open Loop mode, ignoring the O2S signal voltage while calculating the air-to-fuel ratio. The control module supplies the O2S with a reference, or bias voltage of about 450 mV. While the engine runs, the O2S heats up and begins to generate a voltage within a range of 0-1,000 mV. This voltage will fluctuate above and below the bias voltage. Once sufficient O2S voltage fluctuation is observed by the control module, Closed Loop is entered. The control module uses the O2S voltage to determine the air-to-fuel ratio. An O2S voltage that increases above bias voltage toward 1,000 mV indicates a rich fuel mixture. An O2S voltage that decreases below bias voltage toward 0 mV indicates a lean fuel mixture.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • DTCs P0107, P0108, P0117, P0118, P0122, P0123, P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0336, P0337, P0351, P0352, and P0443 are not set.
    • The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is more than 60°C (140°F).
    • The ignition voltage is greater than 10 volts.
    • The fuel system is in closed loop.
    • The DTCs run continuously once the above conditions are met for greater than 3 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0131

The engine control module (ECM) detects that the O2S voltage is less than 50 mV for 25 seconds.

P0132

The ECM detects that the O2S voltage is greater than 952 mV for 25 seconds.

Action Taken when the DTC Sets

DTCs P0131 and P0132 are Type A DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

DTCs P0131 and P0132 are Type A DTCs.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Engine running, observe the scan tool oxygen sensor (O2S) voltage parameter. The reading should fluctuate above and below the range of 350-550 mV.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC to verify the DTC does not reset. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the O2S sensor.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5 ohms of resistance between the low reference circuit terminal 1 and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  4. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool O2S parameter is between 350-500 mV.
  5. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, ECM.
    If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  6. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 2 and the low reference circuit terminal 1. Verify the scan tool O2S parameter is less than 60 mV.
  7. If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  8. Verify the following conditions do not exist:
  9. • Lean or rich fuel injectors--Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test with Special Tool .
    • Water intrusion in the O2S harness connector.
    • Low or high fuel system pressure--Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Fuel that is contaminated--Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .
    • Fuel saturation of the evaporative emission (EVAP) canister.
    • Exhaust leaks near the O2S.
    • Engine vacuum leaks.
         ⇒If you find any of the above conditions, repair as necessary.
  10. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the O2S .

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Oxygen Sensor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for engine control module replacement, setup, and programming