Circuit Description
Heated oxygen sensors are used to minimize the amount of time required for Closed Loop fuel control operation and to allow accurate catalyst monitoring. The oxygen sensor heater greatly decreases the amount of time required for fuel control sensor HO2S 1 to become active. The oxygen sensor heater is required by catalyst monitor sensor HO2S 2 to maintain a sufficiently high temperature. This allows accurate exhaust oxygen content readings further from the engine.
The PCM will run the heater test only after a cold start (determined by engine coolant and intake air temperature at the time of startup) and only once during an ignition cycle. The time it should take the HO2S to reach operating temperature is based on the engine coolant temperature at start-up and the average mass air flow since startup (more total airflow or higher startup engine coolant temperature = shorter time to HO2S activity). When the engine is started the PCM will monitor the HO2S voltage. When the Bank HO2S voltage indicates a sufficiently active sensor, the PCM looks at how much time has elapsed since startup. If the PCM determines that too much time was required for the HO2S 2 to become active, DTC P0141 will set.
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | No TP sensor, EVAP system, misfire, IAT sensor, MAP sensor, Fuel Trim, fuel injector circuit, ECT sensor, or MAF sensor DTCs present. |
| • | System voltage is between 9 and 16 volts. |
| • | Intake air temperature (IAT) is less than 35°C (95°F) at startup. |
| • | Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) is less than 35°C (95°F) at startup. |
| • | IAT and ECT are within 6°C (11°F) of each other at start-up. |
| • | Average mass airflow for the sample period is less than 24 g/s. |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
HO2S 2 voltage remains within 150 mV of the bias voltage (about 450 mV) for a longer amount of time than it should. The amount of time ranges between 95 and 130 seconds depending on engine coolant temperature at startup and average air flow since startup.
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The PCM will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (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/Failure Records data. |
Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
| • | The PCM will turn OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has 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 a scan tool. |
Diagnostic Aids
Check for the following conditions:
| • | Poor connection at 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 malfunction. |
If the DTC cannot be duplicated and is determined to be intermittent, reviewing the Failure Records can be useful in determining when the DTC was last set. Also refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
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The HO2S should be allowed to cool before performing this test. If the HO2S heater is functioning, the signal voltage will gradually increase or decrease as the sensor element warms. If the heater is not functioning, the HO2S signal will remain near the 450 mv bias voltage.
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Ensures that the ignition feed circuit to the HO2S is not open or shorted. The test lamp should be connected to a good chassis ground, in case the HO2S low or HO2S heater ground circuit is malfunctioning.
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Checks the HO2S heater ground circuit.
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Checks for an open or shorted HO2S heater element.
Important: The heater element resistance will vary according to HO2S temperature (a hot HO2S heater element will measure a much higher resistance than a HO2S heater element at room temperature). Allow the HO2S to cool before measuring HO2S heater element resistance.
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An open HO2S signal or low circuit can cause the DTC to set with a good HO2S. Check the HO2S signal and the HO2S low circuits before replacing the sensor.
Step | Action | Values | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check? | -- | ||
|
Important: If the engine has just been operating, allow engine to cool for about one half hour before proceeding.
Does HO2S voltage go from bias voltage to more than the first specified value or less than the second specified value within 2 minutes? | 600 mV 300 mV | Go to Diagnostic Aids | ||
3 | Inspect the fuse for the HO2S 2 ignition feed circuit. Is the fuse open? | -- | ||
|
Important: Use a known good ground. Do not use the HO2S 2 heater ground or the HO2S 2 low circuit.
Does the test lamp illuminate? | -- | |||
Connect the test lamp between HO2S 2 ignition feed and HO2S 2 heater ground. Does test lamp illuminate? | -- | |||
Is the HO2S heater resistance within the specified values? | 4-6 ohms | |||
7 | Repair open HO2S 2 ignition feed circuit to HO2S 2. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | -- | |
8 | Repair open HO2S 2 heater ground circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | -- | |
9 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | ||
10 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | ||
Check for a poor HO2S 2 signal or low circuit terminal connection at the HO2S 2 harness connector and repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | |||
12 | Check for poor HO2S 2 low circuit terminal connection at the PCM and repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in wiring systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | ||
13 | Check for poor HO2S 2 signal circuit terminal connection at the PCM and repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | ||
14 | Replace HO2S 2. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | -- | -- | |
15 | Repair short to ground in HO2S 2 ignition feed circuit and replace malfunctioning fuse. Refer to Power Distribution Schematics in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | -- | |
16 |
Important: If engine has just been operating, allow engine to cool for about one half hour before proceeding.
Does HO2S voltage go from bias voltage to more than the first specified value or less than the second specified value within 2 minutes? | 600 mV 300 mV | System OK |
