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 provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0134: HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Bank 1 Sensor 1

DTC P0154: HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Bank 2 Sensor 1

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 1 Signal

P0131

P0134, P0135

P0132

P0133, P2096, P2097

HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 2 Signal

P0137

P0140

P0138

P0140

HO2S Bank 2 Sensor 1 Signal

P0151

P0154, P0155

P0152

P0153, P2098, P2099

HO2S Bank 2 Sensor 2 Signal

P0157

P0160

P0158

P0160

Low Reference

--

P0134, P0135, P0154, P0155

--

--

Typical Scan Tool Data

Bank 1 or 2 HO2S 1

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Operating Conditions: Engine operating in Closed Loop

Parameter Normal Range: Fluctuates above and below 350-500 mV

Sensor Signal

0-60 mV

445-450 mV

1275 mV

Low Reference

--

445-480 mV

1275 mV

Circuit Description

The heated oxygen sensors (HO2S) are used for fuel control and catalyst monitoring. Each HO2S compares the oxygen content of the surrounding air with the oxygen content of the exhaust stream. When the engine is started, the control module operates in an Open Loop mode, ignoring the HO2S signal voltage while calculating the air-to-fuel ratio. The control module supplies the HO2S with a reference, or bias voltage of about 450 mV. While the engine runs, the HO2S heats up and begins to generate a voltage within a range of 0-1,000 mV. This voltage will fluctuate above and below the bias voltage. Once sufficient HO2S voltage fluctuation is observed by the control module, Closed Loop is entered. The control module uses the HO2S voltage to determine the air-to-fuel ratio. An HO2S voltage that increases above bias voltage toward 1,000 mV indicates a rich fuel mixture. An HO2S voltage that decreases below bias voltage toward 0 mV indicates a lean fuel mixture.

The heating elements inside each 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 DTCs

    • DTCs P0116, P0117, P0118, P0119, P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, P0206, P0261, P0262, P0264, P0265, P0267, P0268, P0270, P0271, P0273, P0274, P0276, and P0277 are not set.
    • The ignition voltage is greater than 10.5 volts.
    • The engine is operating for more than 1 second.
    • The HO2S heater is active for more than 25 seconds.
    • The HO2S is at operating temperature for more than 30 seconds.
    • The primary HO2S heater duty cycle is greater than 68 percent.
    • The calculated exhaust temperature is between 600-800°C (1112-1472°F).
    • DTCs P0134 and P0154 run continuously once the conditions above exist for more than 5 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTCs

    • A primary HO2S voltage is between 400-600 mV.
    • The calculated internal resistance of a primary HO2S is greater than 20,000 ohms when the calculated exhaust temperature is greater than 600°C (1112°F).
    • A corresponding primary and secondary HO2S are greater than 200 mV during a decel fuel cut-off.
    • DTC P0134 or P0154 set if any of the conditions above exist for greater than 4 seconds or for a cumulative of 50 seconds.

Action Taken when the DTC Sets

DTCs P0134 and P0154 are Type B DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

DTCs P0134 and P0154 are Type B DTCs.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

    •  Engine Control Module Connector End Views
    •  Engine Controls 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

    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions
    •  Scan Tool Output Controls

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Engine idling, observe the HO2S voltage parameter. The voltage should fluctuate above and below the range of 350-550 mV.
  2. If the vehicle passes the Circuit/System Verification test, then operate the vehicle within the conditions for running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that are captured in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records Data List.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate HO2S.
  2. Ignition ON, test for B+ on the HO2S ignition voltage circuit terminal C of the HO2S harness connector.
  3. If less than the specified value, repair the ignition voltage circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition OFF, connect a test lamp between the heater control circuit terminal D and B+.
  5. Idle the engine, and verify the test lamp illuminates or flashes with bright intensity.
  6. If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit/connections test normal, replace the ECM.
  7. Ignition ON, verify that the applicable HO2S voltage parameter is between 350-500 mV.
  8. If less than the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit/connections test normal, replace the ECM.
    If greater than the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit/connections test normal, replace the ECM.
  9. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal B and ground. Verify the HO2S voltage parameter is less than 60 mV.
  10. If greater than the specified value, test the signal circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit/connections test normal, replace the ECM.
  11. Connect a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal B and the low reference circuit terminal A. Verify the HO2S voltage parameter is less than 60 mV.
  12. If greater than the specified value, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance or for a short to voltage. If the circuit/connections test normal, replace the ECM.
  13. Verify that none of the following conditions exist:
  14. • The HO2S is loose
    • Lean or rich fuel injectors--Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test with Special Tool or Fuel Injector Balance Test with Tech 2 .
    • 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.
  15. If all circuits/connections test normal, replace the applicable HO2S.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 1 Sensor 1
    •  Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 2 Sensor 1
    •  Control Module References for engine control module replacement, setup, and programming