GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Refer to Engine Controls Schematics .

Circuit Description

The oxygen sensor (O2S 1) is a sensor designed to create a voltage relative to the oxygen content in the engine exhaust stream. The powertrain control module (PCM) supplies the O2S 1 with signal High and Low circuits. The oxygen content of the exhaust indicates when the engine is operating lean or rich. When the O2S 1 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 O2S 1 signal voltage.

The O2S 1 needs to be at a high temperature in order to produce a voltage. Once the O2S 1 has reached operating temperature, the controls module monitors the O2S 1 bias, or reference, voltage as well as the O2S 1 signal voltage for Closed Loop fuel control. During normal Closed Loop fuel control operation, the controls module will add fuel (enriches the mixture) when the O2S 1 detects a lean exhaust content and subtract fuel (leans-out the mixture) when the O2S 1 detects a rich exhaust condition.

This DTC determines if the O2S 1 is functioning properly by checking for an adequate number of O2S 1 voltage transitions above and below the bias range of 300-600 mV. This DTC sets when the PCM fails to detect a minimum number of voltage transitions above and below the bias range during the test period.

Conditions For Running The DTC

    • DTCs P0105, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0122, P0123, P0169, P0171,P0172, P0178, P0179, P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0300, P0336, P0440, P0446, P0452, P0453, P0506, P0507, P0601, P0602 or P1441 are not set.
    • Air flow is more than 3 grams per second.
    • The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is more than 70°C (158°F).
    • The above conditions are met for 10 seconds.
    • The throttle position (TP) angle is between 8 percent and 56 percent.
    • The engine run time is more than 30 seconds.

Conditions For Setting The DTC

O2S 1 voltage is between 399 mV and 499 mV for 125 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will illuminate after 2 consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs with the malfunction active.
    • The PCM will record the operating conditions at the time that the diagnostic fails. The Freeze Frame and Failure Records buffers will store this information.
    • A history DTC stores.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The MIL will turn OFF after 3 consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs without a fault.
    • A history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm up cycles without a fault.
    • A scan tool can clear the DTCs.

Diagnostic Aids

Important: Never solder the O2S wires. For proper wire and connection repairs, refer to Wiring Repairs or Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Check for an exhaust leak typically within 30.5 cm (12 inches) up-stream of the O2S. Refer to Exhaust Leakage in Engine Exhaust.

The Intermittent Test

Use a scan tool in order to monitor this O2S 1 signal voltage. Move the related connectors and the wiring harness with a warm engine running at part throttle in Closed Loop. If the failure is induced, the O2S 1 signal voltage reading changes from the normal fluctuating voltage (above 600 mV and below 300 mV) to a fixed value around 450 mV. This may help to isolate the location of the malfunction.

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 check 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, then refer to Wiring Repairs or Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table:

  1. When the system is operating correctly the O2S 1 voltage should toggle above and below the specified values.

  2. The specified value is what is measured on a correctly operating system.

  3. The specified value is what is measured on a correctly operating system.

  4. The replacement PCM must be reprogrammed and the Crankshaft Position System Variation Learn Procedure must be performed.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Important:: If any other DTCs are set, refer to the other DTCs before proceeding with this table.

  1. The engine is at operating temperature.
  2. Operate engine above 1200 RPM for 2 minutes.
  3. With a scan tool, observe the O2S 1 voltage.

Does the O2S 1 voltage read outside the specified range?

400-500 mV

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

Operate vehicle within the Failure Records conditions.

Does the DTC reset?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Diagnostic Aids

4

Inspect and test for the following conditions:

    • Exhaust leak. Refer to Exhaust System Inspection in Engine Exhaust.
    • O2S 1 is installed correctly.
    • Damaged wiring. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
    • If a condition is found, repair as necessary.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the O2S 1.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. With a DMM measure the voltage on the PCM side of the O2S 1 signal circuit to ground.

Does the O2S 1 signal voltage measure near the specified value?

450 mV

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 8

6

  1. Install a jumper wire between the signal circuit and the low circuit at the connector.
  2. With a scan tool, observe the O2S 1 voltage.

Does the O2S 1 signal voltage measure near the specified value?

0 mV

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Test the low circuit for the following conditions:
  2. • Open
    • High resistance
  3. If a condition is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

8

  1. Test the signal circuit for the following conditions:
  2. • Open
    • High resistance
  3. If a condition is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

9

  1. Inspect for poor connections at the O2S 1. Refer to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
  2. If a condition is found, repair as necessary.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

10

Important:: Determine the cause of contamination before replacing the sensor.

Inspect and test for the following conditions:

    • Fuel contamination
    • Improper RTV sealant

Replace the O2S 1. Refer to Oxygen Sensor Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 13

--

11

  1. Inspect for poor connections at the PCM. Refer to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
  2. If a condition is found, repair as necessary.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

12

Important:: The replacement PCM must be programmed.

Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

13

  1. Use a scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC reset?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK