Circuit Description
Important: If the voltage is measured with a 10 Megaohm Digital Voltmeter, the voltage may read as low as 0.32 volt (320 mV).
The VCM supplies a voltage of about 0.45 volt (450 mV) between the HO2S Signal and HO2S Low circuits. The Heated Oxygen Sensor varies the voltage within the range of about 1.0 volt (1000 mV) if the exhaust is rich, down to about 0.10 volt (100 mV) if the exhaust is lean. This is a type A DTC.
The sensor is like an open circuit and produces no voltage when it is below 360°C (600°F). The DTC P0131, P0132, an open signal circuit, or a cold sensor causes Open Loop operation. The DTC P0131 determines if the HO2S sensor or the signal circuit is shorted to low by checking for a lean condition during a steady throttle and power enrichment (PE).
Conditions for Setting the DTC
The following conditions will set the DTC:
| • | No TP sensor DTCs |
| • | No EVAP DTCs |
| • | No IAT sensor DTCs |
| • | No MAP sensor DTCs |
| • | No ECT sensor DTCs |
| • | No MAF sensor DTCs |
| • | No intrusive test in progress |
| • | No device controls active |
| • | The system voltage measures at least 9.0 volts |
Test Enable Lean Test
| • | Closed Loop low MAP not active |
| • | Closed Loop |
| • | No fuel injectors turned off |
| • | Air to fuel ratio is at least 14.5 but less than 14.8 |
| • | The TP is greater than 5% but less than 99% |
| • | The above met for 5 seconds |
| • | Related HO2S DTCs not active since code clear |
Test Enable PE Lean Test
| • | A Closed Loop |
| • | The Power Enrichment mode active |
| • | The high speed fuel cutoff not active |
| • | Related HO2S DTCs not active since code clear |
| • | Time elapse since test enable is at least 1 second |
Test Enable Lean Test
| • | Closed Loop |
| • | No fuel injectors turned off |
| • | Air to fuel ratio is at least 14.5 but less than 14.8 |
| • | The TP is greater than 3.5 % but less than 99 % |
| • | The above met for 5 seconds |
| • | No HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 1) DTCs |
| • | HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 1 voltage is less than 0.086 volts (86 mV). |
Test Enable PE Lean Test
| • | A Closed Loop |
| • | The Power Enrichment mode active |
| • | The high speed fuel cutoff not active |
| • | HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 1) DTCs not active since code clear |
| • | Time elapse since test enable is at least 1 second |
| • | The Bank 1 Sensor 1 H02S voltage measures less than 0.598 volts (598 mV). |
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
A current DTC P0131 set causes the system to operate in an Open Loop. With a DTC P0131 set, the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) turns ON at the first test failure.
Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
The VCM turns OFF the MIL after 3 consecutive driving trips without a fault condition present. A history DTC will clear if no fault conditions have been detected for 40 warm-up cycles (the coolant temperature has risen 22°C (40°F) from the start-up coolant temperature and the engine coolant temperature exceeds 71°C (160°F) during that same ignition cycle) or the scan tool clearing feature has been used.
Diagnostic Aids
Using the scan tool, observe the L.T. fuel trim values at the different RPM and the air flow conditions. The scan tool also displays the fuel trim cells, so the scan tool can check the L.T. fuel trim values in each of the cells in order to determine when the DTC may have set. If the conditions for this DTC exist, the L.T. fuel trim values measure around 158 or greater.
Check for the following conditions:
| • | A heated oxygen sensor wire: A sensor pigtail may be mispositioned and contacting the exhaust manifold. |
| • | An intermittent ground in wire between the connector and the sensor. |
| • | A poor VCM to the engine block ground |
| • | Lean injectors: Preform the Poppet Nozzle Test. Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test . |
| • | Fuel Contamination: Water, even in small amounts, near the in-tank fuel pump inlet can be delivered to the injectors. The water causes a lean exhaust and can also set this DTC. |
| • | Fuel pressure: If the pressure is too low, the system will be lean. In order to confirm, monitor a fuel pressure while driving the vehicle at various speeds and loads. Refer to Fuel System Pressure Test . |
| • | Exhaust leaks: If there is an exhaust leak, the engine may pull the outside air into the exhaust. and past the sensor. |
| • | Vacuum or the Crankcase leaks can cause a lean condition or a possibly a high idle. |
| • | If the above check out okay, the problem is a faulty heated sensor. |
Never solder the HO2S wires. For proper wire and connector repair refer to Wiring Repairs .
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
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Running the engine at 1200 RPM keeps the oxygen sensor hot in order to ensure the oxygen sensor remains active and can indicate the exhaust oxygen content accurately.
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Opening the heated oxygen sensor circuit should result in a displayed voltage between the 350 and 550 mV. If the display is fixed below 350 mV, the fault is a short to the ground in the HO2S 1 high signal circuit or a faulty VCM.
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Important: Before clearing the DTCs use the scan tool to record the Freeze Frame and the Failure Records data. This data will be lost when the Clear Info function is used. Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed? | -- | ||
Does the scan tool data display indicate the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 1) voltage fixed less than the specified value? | 1200 RPM 0.086 V (86 mV) | |||
Does the scan tool data display indicate the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 1) voltage within the specified range. | 0.35-0.55 V (350-550 mV) | |||
4 | The DTC is intermittent. If no additional DTCs are stored, refer to the Diagnostic Aids. If additional DTCs are stored, refer to those tables. | -- | Go to The Applicable DTC Table | |
5 | Check for a short to the ground in the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 1) signal circuit. Was a problem found? | -- | ||
6 | Repair the circuit as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Engine Electrical. Is the repair complete? | -- | -- | |
7 | Refer to the Diagnostic Aids. | -- | -- | -- |
8 | Replace the VCM. Important: If the VCM is faulty, reprogram the VCM. Refer to VCM Replacement/Programming . Is the replacement complete? | -- | -- | |
9 |
Does the scan tool indicate that this diagnostic ran and passed? | -- | ||
10 | Using the scan tool, select the Capture Info and the Review Info. Are any DTCs displayed that have not been diagnosed? | -- | Go to The Applicable DTC Table | System OK |
