GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

In order to maintain low emissions of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), the engine controls system uses a 3-way catalytic converter (TWC). The catalyst within the TWC promotes a chemical reaction, which oxidizes the HC and CO that are present in the exhaust gas. This reaction converts these chemicals into harmless water vapor and carbon dioxide. The catalyst also reduces the NOx which converts into nitrogen. The powertrain control module (PCM) monitors this process using heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) bank 1 sensor 2, which is located in the exhaust stream past the TWC. The HO2S bank 1 sensor 2 produces an output signal which indicates the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst. This determines the catalysts ability to effectively convert the exhaust emissions. If the catalyst is functioning correctly, the bank 1 of the HO2S 2 signal will be far less active than the signal that is produced by bank 1 of the HO2S 1. This indicates that the TWC oxygen storage capacity is below an acceptable threshold.

The PCM performs this diagnostic test at idle. When the conditions for running this DTC are met, the following occurs:

  1. The PCM captures the current rear HO2S rich-to-lean status.
  2. The air-to-fuel ratio transitions from rich to lean or from lean to rich, depending on the captured rear HO2S rich-to-lean status.
  3. The air-to-fuel ratio transitions a second time opposite the first air-to-fuel ratio transition.
  4. The PCM captures the response time of the front and the rear HO2S when the air-to-fuel ratio transitions occur. The HO2S response time goes from less than 300 mV to more than 600 mV, and from more than 600 mV to less than 300 mV.
  5. The PCM measures the time necessary for the rear HO2S voltage to cross a reference rich-to-lean threshold, minus the time necessary for the front HO2S voltage to cross the same rich-to-lean threshold. The difference between the front HO2S time and the rear HO2S time is the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst. This DTC sets if the time exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • DTCs P0101, P0102, P0103, P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0120, P0125, P0128, P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0135, P0137, P0138, P0140, P0141, P0151, P0152, P0153, P0154, P0155, P0157, P0158, P0160, P0161, P0171, P0172, P0174, P0175, P0177, P0178, P0179, P0200, P0220, P0300, P0325, P0327, P0332, P0335, 336, P0341, P0342, P0343, P0351-P0358, P0442, P0443, P0446, P0452, P0453, P0455, P0496, P0502, P0503, P1125, P1133, P1153, P1258, P1514, P1516, P1518 are not set.
    • The intake air temperature (IAT) is between -15°C and +85°C (+5°F and +185°F).
    • The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 74 kPa.
    • The engine is operating.
    • The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is more than 70-120°C (158-248°F).
    • Since the end of the last idle period, the engine speed is more than 900 RPM for the one of the following amounts of time.
       - 45 seconds for manual transmissions
       - 40 seconds for automatic transmissions
    • The Closed Loop fuel control is enabled.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The PCM determines that the oxygen storage capability of the TWC has degraded to less than a calibrated threshold.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) when the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The control module stores this information in the Freeze Frame/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.

Test Description

The number below refers to the step number on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step inspects for conditions that can cause the three-way catalytic converter efficiency to appear degraded.

  2. A catalytic converter which has been discolored may be due to an engine running rich, lean or had a previous sever misfire. Verifying the fuel trim percentages may be of assistance in determining if such a condition exists.

Step

Action

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

Are any other DTCs set?

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Observe the Freeze Frame/Failure Records for this DTC.
  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.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

Go to Step 4

Go to Intermittent Conditions

4

  1. Inspect the exhaust system for the following conditions:
  2. • A leak at or ahead of the post HO2S 2
    • Loose or missing hardware
  3. Repair as necessary.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Verify that the correct original equipment three-way catalytic converter is installed.
  2. Ensure that the oxygen sensors are properly installed and that the wiring connections are properly retained and not damaged.
  3. Repair as necessary.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

6

Important: Inspect the converter for severe discoloration, indicating a possible catalyst overheating condition. If this condition exists, the cause must be found before the catalyst is replaced.

Replace the catalytic converter. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement in Engine Exhaust.

Did you complete the action?

Go to Step 7

--

7

  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.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 8

8

Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK