GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 50414  Size: MF
Engine Controls Components
HO2S Sensors
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

The PCM supplies a bias voltage of about 450 mV between the HO2S signal and low circuits. When measured with a 10 megohm digital voltmeter, this may display as low as 320 mV. The oxygen sensor varies the voltage within a range of about 1000 mV when the exhaust is rich, down through about 10 mV when exhaust is lean. The PCM constantly monitors the HO2S signal during closed loop operation and compensates for a rich or lean condition by decreasing or increasing injector pulse width as necessary. If the Bank 1 HO2S 1 voltage remains at or near the 450 mV bias for an extended period of time, DTC P0134 will be set, indicating an open sensor signal or sensor low circuit.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • No active transmission, TP sensor, EVAP system, EGR, misfire, IAT sensor, MAP sensor, fuel trim, fuel injector circuit, EVAP solenoid ODM, ECT sensor, or MAF sensor DTC(s) present.
    • Engine run time longer than 4 minutes
    • Bank 1 HO2S 1 signal voltage remains between 400 mV and 500 mV for up to 30 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM will illuminate the MIL during the second consecutive trip in which the diagnostic test has been run and failed.
    • The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame and Fail Records data.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The PCM will turn the MIL OFF during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has been run and passed.
    • The history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.
    • The DTC can be cleared by using the scan tool Clear Information function or by disconnecting the PCM battery feed.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

    • Poor connection at the PCM - Inspect harness connectors for the following conditions:
       - Backed out terminals.
       - Improper mating.
       - Broken locks.
       - Improperly formed or damaged terminals.
       - Poor terminal to wire connection.
    • Damaged harness -- 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 will indicate the location of the fault.
    • Damaged harness -- 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 will indicate the location of the fault.
    • Faulty HO2S heater or heater circuit -- With the ignition ON the HO2S voltage displayed on a scan tool should gradually drop to less than 250 mV or rise to greater than 600 mV. If not, disconnect the HO2S and connect a J 35616-200 Unpowered Test Light between the HO2S ignition feed and heater ground circuits. If the test light does not light, repair the open ignition feed or sensor ground circuit as necessary. Refer to Repair Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis . If the test light illuminates and the HO2S signal and low circuits are OK, replace the HO2S.
    • Intermittent test -- With the ignition ON, monitor the HO2S signal voltage while moving the wiring harness and related connectors. If the fault is induced, the HO2S signal voltage will change. This may help isolate the location of the malfunction.

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

Test Description

Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table:

  1. This vehicle is equipped with a PCM which utilizes an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM). When the PCM is being replaced, the new PCM must be programmed.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to the Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

  1. Install scan tool
  2. Engine at operating temperature
  3. Operate engine above 1200 RPM for two minutes.

Does scan tool indicate Bank 1 HO2S 1 voltage varying outside the specified values?

400-500 mV

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

  1. Turn ON the ignition switch.
  2. Review and record scan tool Fail Records data and note parameters.
  3. Operate vehicle within Fail Records conditions as noted.
  4. Using a scan tool, monitor Specific DTC info for DTC P0134 until the DTC P0134 test runs

Does scan tool indicate DTC failed this ignition?

--

Go to Step 4

Refer to Diagnostic Aids

4

  1. Turn ON the ignition switch.
  2. Disconnect HO2S signal and jumper the HO2S signal and low circuits (PCM side) to ground.
  3. Using a scan tool, monitor Bank 1 HO2S 1 voltage.

Is Bank 1 HO2S 1 voltage below the specified value?

150 mV

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Remove the jumper wire from the Bank 1 HO2S 1 (leave the bank 1 HO2S 1 low circuit connected to ground).
  2. Using a J 39200 Digital Multimeter, measure voltage between the Bank 1 HO2S 1 signal circuit (PCM side) and the Bank 1 HO2S 1 heater ground circuit.

Does Bank 1 HO2S 1 signal voltage measure near the specified value?

400 mV

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 7

6

  1. Turn OFF the ignition switch
  2. Disconnect the PCM.
  3. Check continuity of the Bank 1 HO2S 1 low circuit.
  4. If the Bank 1 HO2S 1 low circuit measures over 5 ohms, repair open or poor connection as necessary. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Repair in Electrical Diagnosis.

Was a Bank 1 HO2S 1 low circuit problem found and corrected?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 9

7

  1. Turn OFF the ignition switch.
  2. Disconnect the PCM.
  3. Check continuity of the Bank 1 HO2S 1 signal circuit and the Bank 1 HO2S 1 low circuit.
  4. If the Bank 1 HO2S 1 signal or low circuit measures over 5 ohms, repair open or poor connection as necessary. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Repair in Electrical Diagnosis.

Was a Bank 1 HO2S 1 signal circuit problem found and corrected?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

8

Check for a poor Bank 1 HO2S 1 signal or low circuit terminal connection at the Bank 1 HO2S 1 harness connector and replace terminal(s) if necessary. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Repair in Electrical Diagnosis.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

9

  1. Check for poor Bank 1 HO2S 1 signal or low circuit terminal connection at the PCM.

If a problem is found, replace terminal(s) as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Electrical Diagnosis.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

10

  1. Check for poor Bank 1 HO2S 1 signal and the Bank 1 HO2S 1 low circuit for a poor terminal connection at the PCM.
  2. If a problem is found, replace terminal(s) as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Electrical Diagnosis.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

11

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

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 13

--

12

Replace the PCM.

Important: Replacement PCM must be programmed. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 13

--

13

  1. Turn ON the ignition switch.
  2. Review and record scan tool Fail Records data.
  3. Clear DTCs
  4. Operate vehicle within Fail Records conditions as noted.
  5. Using a scan tool, monitor Specific DTC info for DTC P0134 until the DTC P0134 test runs.

Does scan tool indicate DTC failed this ignition?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK