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 |
| • | Closed Loop low MAP not active |
| • | Air to fuel ratio is at least 14.5 but less than 14.8 |
| • | The TP is greater than 10% but less than 99% |
| • | The above met for 5 seconds |
| • | Related O2 sensor DTCs not active since code clear |
| • | The Bank 1 Sensor 1 HO2S voltage is less than (0.086 V) 86 mV |
Test Enable PE Lean Test
| • | Closed Loop |
| • | Power Enrichment mode active |
| • | High speed fuel cutoff not active |
| • | Related O2 sensor DTCs not active since code clear |
| • | Time elapsed since test enable is at least 1 second |
| • | The Bank 1 Sensor 1 HO2S voltage is less than (0.598 V) 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 or DTC
| • | The control module turns OFF the MIL after 3 consecutive drive trips when the test has run and passed. |
| • | A history DTC will clear if no fault conditions have been detected for 40 warm-up cycles. A warm-up cycle occurs when the coolant temperature has risen 22°C (40°F) from the startup coolant temperature and the engine coolant reaches a temperature that is more than 70°C (158°F) during the same ignition cycle. |
| • | Use a scan tool in order to clear the DTCs. |
Diagnostic Aids
Important: Never solder the HO2S wires. For proper wire and connection repair refer to wiring repairs in Engine Electrical.
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 L.T. fuel trim values can be checked 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 sensor pigtail may be mispositioned and contacting the exhaust system. |
| • | An intermittent short to ground in the signal circuit between the VCM connector and HO2S. |
| • | A poor VCM to the engine block ground. |
| • | Lean injectors: Perform the Injector Balance Test. Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test for the 4.3L. |
| • | 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 Diagnosis . |
| • | 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. |
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 HO2S Signal 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 ground in the HO2S Signal circuit or a faulty VCM.
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Important: Before clearing the DTCs, use the scan tool in order to record the Freeze Frame and the Failure Records for reference. This data will be lost when the Clear DTC Information 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 the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 1) voltage within the specified range? | 0.35-0.55 V (350-550 mV) | |||
4 | The DTC is intermittent. Are any additional DTCs stored? | -- | Go to the applicable DTC table | Go to Diagnostic Aids |
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 Electrical Diagnosis. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
7 | Refer to the Diagnostic Aids. If a problem is found, then repair as necessary. Was a problem found? | -- | ||
8 | Replace the HO2S (Bank 1, Sensor 1). Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
9 | Replace the VCM. Important: When replacing the VCM, the new VCM will need to be programmed. Refer to VCM Replacement/Programming . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
10 |
Does the scan tool indicate that this diagnostic ran and passed? | -- | ||
11 | Use the scan tool in order to display the Capture Info and the Review Capture Info functions. Are there any DTCs displayed that have not been diagnosed? | -- | Go to the applicable DTC table | System OK |
