Circuit Description
The heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) is a sensor designed to create a voltage relative to the oxygen content in the engine exhaust stream. The control module supplies the HO2S with signal high and low circuits. Ignition voltage and ground are supplied to the HO2S heater by independent circuits. The oxygen content of the exhaust indicates when the engine is operating lean or rich. When the HO2S detects that the engine is operating rich, the signal voltage is high, and decreases the signal voltage as the engine runs leaner. This oscillation above and below the bias voltage, sometimes referred to as activity or switching, can be monitored with the HO2S signal voltage.
The HO2S contains a heater that is necessary in order to quickly warm the sensor to operating temperature. The heater also maintains the operating temperature during extended idle conditions. The HO2S needs to be at a high temperature in order to produce a voltage. When the HO2S reaches operating temperature, the control module monitors the HO2S bias, or reference, voltage. It also monitors the HO2S signal voltage for Closed Loop fuel control. During normal Closed Loop fuel control operation, the control module will add fuel, or enrich the mixture, when the HO2S detects a lean exhaust content. The control module will subtract fuel, or "lean-out" the mixture, when the HO2S detects a rich exhaust condition.
Certain vehicle models utilize an oxygen sensor behind the catalytic converter in order to monitor catalyst efficiency.
This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) determines if the HO2S is functioning properly. It checks for an adequate number of HO2S voltage transitions above and below the bias range of 300-600 mV. This DTC sets when the vehicle control module (VCM) fails to detect a minimum number of voltage transitions above and below the bias range during the test period. Possible causes of this DTC are:
| • | An open or a short to voltage on either the HO2S signal or HO2S low circuits |
| • | A malfunctioning HO2S |
| • | A problem in the HO2S heater or its circuit |
| • | A faulty HO2S ground |
This DTC is designed to detect an HO2S that is slow to respond to changes in the exhaust oxygen content.
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | No active throttle position (TP) sensor DTCs |
| • | No active EVAP system DTCs |
| • | No active intake air temperature (IAT) sensor DTCs |
| • | No active manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor DTCs |
| • | No active engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor DTCs |
| • | No active mass air flow (MAF) sensor DTCs |
| • | No active misfire DTCs |
| • | No intrusive test in progress |
| • | No device controls active |
| • | The system voltage is 11.7-18 volts |
| • | DTCs P0151, P0152, P0154, and P0155 are not active |
| • | The system is in closed loop |
| • | The ECT is more than 57°C (135°F) |
| • | The engine run time is more than 75 seconds |
| • | The MAF is 15-55 g/s |
| • | The engine speed is 1100-3000 RPM |
| • | The EVAP canister purge duty cycle is more than 0 percent |
| • | The above conditions are present for more than 2 seconds |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
| • | The time since Closed Loop mode enabled is more than 100 seconds |
| • | The average lean-to-rich response time, from less than 300 mV to more than 600 mV, is more than 125 ms |
| • | The average rich-to-lean response time, from more than 600 mV to less than 300 mV, is more than 125 ms |
Action Taken When DTC Sets
The VCM turns the MIL ON after the second 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 connector repairs, refer to Wiring Repairs or Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Check for the following conditions:
| • | An improperly installed air cleaner outlet duct |
| • | A collapsed or restricted duct, or a missing or plugged air filter |
| • | Any vacuum leaks at the throttle body or the intake manifold |
| • | A damaged or blocked throttle body inlet |
| • | Any corrosion, leaks, or loose or missing hardware in the exhaust system. Refer to Exhaust System Inspection . |
| • | Verify that the HO2S is installed securely and the pigtail harness is not contacting the exhaust manifold or wires |
| • | Any HO2S contamination |
| • | Any splits, kinks, or improper connections in the vacuum hoses. |
| • | Any excessive water, alcohol, or other contaminants in the fuel. Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis . |
| • | Verify that the VCM sensor grounds are clean, tight, and properly positioned |
An intermittent may be caused by any of the following conditions:
| • | A poor connection |
| • | Rubbed through wire insulation |
| • | A broken wire inside the insulation |
Thoroughly inspect any circuitry that is suspected of causing the intermittent complaint. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.
If a repair is necessary, refer to Wiring Repairs or Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Test Description
The number below refers to the step number on the diagnostic table.
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HO2S contamination is indicated if multiple Response, Switching, or Time Ratio HO2S DTCs are set.
-
The use of leaded fuel may be indicated by the removal or tampering of the fuel filler restrictor.
An HO2S contaminated by silicon will have a white, powdery deposit on the portion of the HO2S that is exposed to the exhaust stream. The usual cause of silica contamination is the use of un-approved silicon RTV engine gasket material or the use of silicon based sprays or fluids within the engine.
If the cause of this contamination is not corrected, the replacement HO2S will also be contaminated.
-
Even small exhaust leaks can cause slow response from the HO2S.
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An HO2S contaminated by silicon will have a white, powdery deposit on the portion of the HO2S that is exposed to the exhaust stream. The usual cause of silica contamination is the use of un-approved silicon RTV engine gasket material or the use of the use of silicon based sprays or fluids within the engine. If the cause of this contamination is not corrected, the replacement HO2S will also be contaminated.
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If the voltage observed in Step 8 is less than the range specified, a short between the high and low circuits or a short between the high circuit and ground is indicated. With the HO2S and the VCM disconnected, the resistance between the high and low circuits and the resistance between the high circuit and ground should measure infinite.
If the voltage observed in Step 8 is more than the range specified a short between the high circuit and an ignition voltage source is indicated.
-
If the voltage observed in Step 9 is not less than the voltage specified, a high resistance high or low circuit is indicated.
Good circuit continuity measures less than 5 ohms with the VCM and the sensor disconnected. Measure between the VCM connector and the HO2S connector. Ensure the VCM terminal contact is good.
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check? | -- | ||||||||||||
In addition to this DTC, check for the following HO2S DTCs:
Are any of the above HO2S DTCs set? | -- | |||||||||||||
3 | Are any powertrain component DTCs set? | -- | Go to the applicable DTCs | |||||||||||
Has the contamination source been removed and the affected sensors replaced? | -- | -- | ||||||||||||
5 |
Did this DTC run and fail this ignition? | -- | ||||||||||||
6 | This DTC is intermittent. Are any additional DTCs stored? | -- | Go to the applicable DTC table | Go to Diagnostic Aids | ||||||||||
Repair the exhaust as necessary. Repair the terminal contact as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and repair a problem? | -- | |||||||||||||
8 |
Is the voltage within the specified range? | 351 to 551 mV | ||||||||||||
9 |
Is the voltage less than the specified value? | 20 mV | ||||||||||||
10 |
Does the test lamp illuminate? | -- | ||||||||||||
11 | Connect the test lamp between the ignition positive circuit terminal of the HO2S heater and the ground circuit terminal of the HO2S heater , both on the engine harness side. Does the test lamp illuminate? | -- | ||||||||||||
HO2S contamination sources include the following:
Is the action complete? | -- | -- | ||||||||||||
Repair the short between the HO2S high and low circuits or between the HO2S high signal circuit and an ignition voltage source. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | ||||||||||||
Did you find a problem? | -- | Go to Diagnostic Aids | ||||||||||||
15 | Repair the HO2S heater ignition positive circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |||||||||||
16 | Repair the HO2S heater ground circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |||||||||||
17 | Replace the HO2S. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |||||||||||
18 |
Did the DTC test run and pass this ignition? | -- | System OK |
