GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provide an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptor

DTC P0131 00: HO2S Circuit Low Voltage Sensor 1

DTC P0132 00: HO2S Circuit High Voltage Sensor 1

DTC P0137 00: HO2S Circuit Low Voltage Sensor 2

DTC P0138 00: HO2S Circuit High Voltage Sensor 2

Diagnostic Fault Information

HO2S 1

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

HO2S Signal

P0131 00, P0171 00

P0132 00, P0134 00, P0137 00, P2A00 00

P0132 00, P0134 00

P0133 00, P1133 00, P2A00 00

Low Reference

--

P0134 00, P0137 00

--

P0133 00, P1133 00, P2A00 00


HO2S 2

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

HO2S Signal

P0137 00

P0138 00, P0140 00

P0132 00, P0134 00

--

Low Reference

--

P0138 00, P0140 00

--

--

Typical Scan Tool Data

HO2S 1 and 2

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Operating Conditions: Engine operating in closed loop

Parameter Normal Range: 50-1050 mV

HO2S 1 and 2 Signal

0 mV

1275 mV

1275 mV

--

Low Reference

--

1275 mV

--

--

Circuit/System Description

Heated oxygen sensors (HO2S) are used for fuel control and post catalyst monitoring. Each heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) compares the oxygen content of the surrounding air with the oxygen content in the exhaust stream. Each heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) must reach operating temperature to provide an accurate voltage signal. Heating elements inside both of the heated oxygen sensors (HO2S) minimize the time required for the sensors to reach operating temperature. The engine control module (ECM) supplies both heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) with a reference, or bias, voltage of about 450 mV. When the engine is first started, the ECM operates in open loop, ignoring the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) voltage signals. Once both the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) reaches operating temperature and closed loop is achieved, both heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) generates a voltage within a range of 0-1000 mV that fluctuates above and below bias voltage. High heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) voltage indicates a rich exhaust stream. Low heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) voltage indicates a lean exhaust stream.

The heating elements inside each heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) heat the sensor to bring the sensor up to operating conditions faster. This allows the system to enter closed loop earlier and the control module to calculate the air-to-fuel ratio sooner.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • DTCs P0030 00, P0036 00, P0106 00, P0107 00, P0108 00, P0112 00, P0113 00, P0117 00, P0118 00, P0121 00, P0122 00, P0123 00, P0201 00, P0202 00, P0203 00, P0204 00, P0443 00, and P2135 00 are not set.
    • The engine is operating.
    • The ignition voltage is between 10-18 V.
    • The fuel system is in closed loop.
    • The vehicle is not decelerating.
    • The DTCs run continuously when the above conditions are met for 5 s.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0131 00 or P0137 00

The engine control module (ECM) detects that the heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) voltage is less than 50 mV for greater than 38 s for DTC P0131 00 or 43 s for DTC P0137 00.

P0132 00 or P0138 00

The ECM detects that the heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) voltage is greater than 1050 mV for greater than 10 s.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTCs P0131 00, P0132 00, P0137 00, and P0138 00 are Type B DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTCs P0131 00, P0132 00, P0137 00, and P0138 00 are Type B DTCs

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

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

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the conditions for running the DTC to verify the DTC does not reset. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the freeze frame/failure records data.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the B52A Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) or B52B Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S).
  2. Ignition OFF, measure for less than 5 Ω between the B52A  Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) or B52B Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) low signal circuit terminal 3 and ground.
  3. If more than the specified range, test the appropriate B52A Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) or B52B Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) low signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K20 Engine Control Module (ECM)
  4. Ignition ON, test for 1.5-2.1 V between the B52A Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) or B52B Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) signal circuit terminal 4 and ground.
  5. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K20 Engine Control Module (ECM)
    If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K20 Engine Control Module (ECM)
  6. Install a 3 A fused jumper wire between the B52A Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) or B52B Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) signal circuit terminal 4 and the low reference circuit terminal 3. Engine running, verify the scan tool HO2S 1 or HO2S 2 parameter is less than 60 mV.
  7. If greater than the specified value, replace the K20 Engine Control Module (ECM).
  8. Verify none of the following conditions exist:
  9. • Lean or rich fuel injectors, refer to Fuel Injector Diagnosis.
    • Water intrusion in the HO2S harness connector
    • Low or high fuel system pressure, refer to Fuel System Diagnosis.
    • Fuel that is contaminated, refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis.
    • Fuel saturation of the evaporative emission (EVAP) canister
    • Exhaust leaks near the HO2S
    • Engine vacuum leaks
         ⇒If you find any of the above conditions, repair as necessary.
  10. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the appropriate B52A Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) or B52B Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S).

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

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