GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0056: HO2S Heater Control Circuit Bank 2 Sensor 2

DTC P0060: HO2S Heater Resistance Bank 2 Sensor 2

DTC P0161: HO2S Heater Performance Bank 2 Sensor 2

Diagnostic Fault Information

Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.

Circuit

Short to Ground

High Resistance

Open

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

HO2S Heater Voltage Supply

Opens fuse

P0030, P0036, P0050, P0053, P0054, P0056, P0059, P0060, P0102, P0134, P0135, P0140, P0141, P0154, P0155, P0160, P0161, P0443

P0060

P0056, P0060, P0161

--

P0161

HO2S Heater Low Control

P0050, P0056

P0060

P0056, P0060, P0161

P0056, P0161

P0161

Typical Scan Tool Data

HO2S Heater

Circuit

Normal Range

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

HO2S Heater Voltage Supply

Approximately 0.20-1.5 A

0.00 A

0.00 A

Approximately 0.20-1.5 A

HO2S Heater Voltage Supply

7-100%

7%

7%

7-100%

HO2S Heater Low Control

Approximately 0.20-1.5 A

0.00 A

0.00 A

0.00 A

HO2S Heater Low Control

7-100%

7%

7%

7%

Circuit/System Description

Heated oxygen sensors (HO2S) are used for fuel control and post catalyst monitoring. Each HO2S compares the oxygen content of the surrounding air with the oxygen content in the exhaust stream. The HO2S must reach operating temperature to provide an accurate voltage signal. A heating element inside the HO2S minimizes the time required for the sensor to reach operating temperature. Voltage is provided to the heater by an ignition voltage circuit through a fuse. With the engine running, ground is provided to the heater by the HO2S heater low control circuit, through a low side driver within the engine control module (ECM). The ECM uses pulse width modulation (PWM) to control the HO2S heater operation to maintain a specific HO2S operating temperature range.

P0056

The control module monitors the voltage on the HO2S heater low control circuit for heater fault diagnosis. If the control module detects that the HO2S heater low control circuit voltage is not within a specified range, DTC P0056 sets for HO2S 2.

P0060

The control module monitors the resistance on the HO2S heater circuit. If the control module detects that the HO2S heater circuit resistance is not within the calibrated range on a cold start, engine OFF for more than 10 hours, DTC P0060 sets for HO2S 2.

P0161

The control module determines the temperature by measuring the current flow through the heater. For diagnosis, the control module monitors the heater current with the engine running. If the control module detects that the HO2S 1 heater low control circuit current level is not within the calibrated range, DTC P0161 sets for HO2S 2.

Conditions for Running the DTC

P0056

    • The engine is cranking or running.
    • The system voltage is between 10-18 volts.

P0060

    • The ignition is OFF for more than 10 hours.
    • The ECT Sensor parameter is between -30 and +45°C (-22 and +133°F) at engine start-up.
    • The system voltage is between 10-18 volts.
    • This diagnostic runs one time per valid cold start when the above conditions are met.

P0161

    • DTCs P0056, P0060, P0101, P0102, P0103, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0120, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0128, P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, P0206, P0220, P0222, P0223, P0442, P0443, P0446, P0449, P0451, P0452, P0453, P0454, P0455, P0461, P0464, P0496, P2119, P2135 are not set.
    • DTCs P0430 and P2A04 are not commanding fuel.
    • The system voltage is between 10-18 volts.
    • The scan tool special functions are not active.
    • The Engine Run Time parameter is at least 180 seconds.
    • The ECT parameter is at least 65°C (149°F).
    • The MAF Sensor parameter is between 5-30 g/s.
    • The Engine Speed parameter is between 500-3,000 RPM.
    • The above conditions have been met for more than 6 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0056

    • The control module detects that the HO2S 1 heater control circuit status is incorrect for more than 2 seconds.
    • This diagnostic runs continuously.

P0060

The control module detects that the HO2S 1 heater calculated resistance is not within an expected range at engine start-up for 1 second.

P0161

    • The HO2S heater current is less than 0.21 amp or more than 0.96 amp for more than 8 seconds, twice within a 1-minute test period.
    • The test is run 2 times per trip.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

When using a high impedance, low current draw, test lamp to load the heater circuit, the test lamp flash may be dim, the scan tool Heater Command parameter may indicate 7 percent, and the Heater parameter may indicate 0.00 amps. This is a normal condition.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

    •  Engine Control Module Connector End Views
    •  Engine Controls Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

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

Scan Tool Reference

Scan Tool Data List

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Allow the engine to reach operating temperature.
  2. Engine running, verify the appropriate scan tool HO2S Heater parameter is varying between 0.5-2 amp.

Circuit/System Testing

Important:  You must perform the Circuit/System Verification before proceeding with Circuit/System Testing.

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate HO2S.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the appropriate HO2S heater voltage supply circuit terminal D and ground.
  3. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the HO2S heater voltage supply circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the HO2S heater voltage supply circuit fuse is open, test all components connected to the fuse and replace as necessary.
  4. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the appropriate HO2S heater low control circuit terminal C and the HO2S heater voltage supply circuit terminal D.
  5. If the lamp illuminates, test the HO2S heater low control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  6. Engine running, leave the test lamp connected from the previous step. The lamp should flash or be ON steady.
  7. If the test lamp is not ON steady or flashing, test the HO2S heater low control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

    Important: 

       • The output driver should detect a short to voltage and turn OFF. If a resistance fault is present the driver will remain ON and the scan tool will display more than 0.0 amp. Less than 10 ohms of resistance may set a DTC.
       • Performing this test may set additional DTCs.

  8. Ignition OFF, install a 30-amp fused jumper wire between the appropriate HO2S heater low control circuit terminal C and the HO2S heater voltage supply circuit terminal D.
  9. Engine running, verify the appropriate scan tool HO2S Heater parameter is less than 0.1 amp.
  10. If more than the specified range, test the HO2S heater voltage supply and HO2S heater low control circuits for more than 1 ohm of resistance. If the circuits test normal, replace the ECM.
  11. If the ECM and all circuits test normal, replace the appropriate HO2S.

Repair Instructions

    •  Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 2 Sensor 1
    •  Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 2 Sensor 2
    •  Control Module References for PCM replacement, setup, and programming

Repair Verification

  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.
  5. If this DTC resets, repeat this procedure.
    If this DTC does not reset but others do, perform those diagnostics.