Circuit Description
Important: If measured with a megohm digital voltmeter, this may read as low as 0.32 volt.
The VCM supplies a voltage of approximately 0.45 volt (450 mV) between the HO2S High and the HO2S Low circuits.
When the HO2S temperature measures below 360°C (600°F) the sensor will not produce any voltage. The sensor will behave like an open circuit. This will result in an open loop operation.
The HO2S heater provides for a faster sensor warm-up which allows the sensor to become active in a shorter period of time. The sensor will also remain active during a long extended idle. The DTC P0144 determines if the HO2S or circuit is shorted low by checking for a lean condition during a steady throttle and power enrichment (PE). This DTC is a type B DTC.
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 Rich Test
| • | A Closed Loop |
| • | The air to fuel ratio is greater than 14.5 but less than 14.8. |
| • | The throttle position is greater than 0% but less than 50 % |
| • | The above met for 5 seconds |
| • | The HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 3) DTCs are not active since the code clear |
| • | The HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 3) voltage is greater than 0.993 V |
Test Enable DFCO Rich Test
- Decel Fuel Cutoff mode active
- A Closed Loop
- Time elapsed since test enable is at least 2 seconds.
- The HO2S voltage is greater than 0.468 V.
Action Taken When the DTC Set
A current DTC P0144 causes the system to operate in an Open Loop. With a current DTC P0144 set, the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) illuminates after 2 test failures.
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
Check the following items:
| • | The fuel pressure: If the pressure is too high, the system will run rich. The VCM can compensate for some increase; however, if the pressure gets too high, the DTC may set. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis . |
| • | A rich injector. Perform a poppet nozzle test. Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test for the 4.3L. |
| • | A leaking injector. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis . |
| • | Fuel contaminated oil |
| • | EVAP canister purge: Check for a fuel saturation. If full of fuel, check the canister control and hoses. Refer to Evaporative Emission Control System Diagnosis . |
| • | Leaking fuel pressure regulator diaphragm by checking the vacuum line to the regulator for fuel. |
| • | The TP sensor: An intermittent TP sensor output causes the system to run rich due to a false indication of the throttle moving. |
| • | False rich indication due to silicon contamination of the heated oxygen sensor. A DTC P0144 accompanied by a lean driveability conditions and a powdery white deposit on the sensor indicates a false rich indication. |
| • | Faulty HO2S: the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 3) is internally shorted, the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 3) voltage displayed on a scan tool will be over 1.0 volt (1000 mV). Try disconnecting the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 3), if the displayed voltage goes from over 1000 mV to around 450 mV, replace the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 3). Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Replacement . |
Never solder the HO2S wires. For proper wire and connector repairs, refer to Wiring Repairs .
Test Description
The number below refers to the step number in the diagnostic table.
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Important: Before clearing DTCs, use the scan tool in order to record freeze frame and the failure records for reference because the Clear Info function will lose the data. Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed? | -- | ||||||||
Does the scan tool data display indicate HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 3) voltage fixed above the specified value? | 1200 RPM 0.976 V (976 mV) | |||||||||
3 |
Does the scan tool data display indicate HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 3) voltage below the specified value? | 0.20 V (200 mV) | Refer to Diagnostic Aids | |||||||
4 | The DTC is intermittent. If no additional DTCs are stored, refer to Diagnostic Aids. If additional DTCs are stored, refer to those tables. | -- | Go to The Applicable DTC Table | |||||||
5 | Replace the VCM. Important: If the VCM is faulty, reprogram the VCM. Refer to VCM Replacement/Programming . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |||||||
6 |
Does the scan tool indicate that this diagnostic ran and passed? | -- | ||||||||
7 | 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 |
