Circuit Description
The heated oxygen sensors minimize the amount of time that is required for closed loop fuel control operation and allow accurate catalyst monitoring. The oxygen sensor heater greatly decreases the amount of time that is required for fuel control sensor HO2S 1 to become active. The oxygen sensor heater is required by catalyst monitor sensor HO2S 2 in order to maintain a sufficiently high temperature. This allows accurate exhaust oxygen content readings farther from the engine.
The PCM will run the heater test only after a cold start, as determined by the engine coolant and the intake air temperature at the time of startup, and only once during an ignition cycle. When the engine is started, the PCM will monitor the HO2S voltage. When the Bank HO2S voltage indicates a sufficiently active sensor, the PCM looks at how much time has elapsed since startup. The time that is necessary for the HO2S to reach the operating temperature is based on the engine coolant temperature at startup and the average mass air flow since startup. More total airflow, or higher startup engine coolant temperature equals shorter time to HO2S activity. If the PCM determines that too much time was required for the HO2S 2 to become active, DTC P0141 will set.
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | No TP sensor, EVAP system, misfire, IAT sensor, MAP sensor, fuel trim, fuel injector circuit, ECT sensor, or MAF sensor DTCs are present. |
| • | The system voltage is between 9 volts and 16 volts. |
| • | The intake air temperature (IAT) is less than 35°C (95°F) at startup. |
| • | The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is less than 35°C (95°F) at startup. |
| • | The IAT and the ECT are within 6°C (11°F) of each other at startup. |
| • | The VIN K average mass airflow for the sample period is less than 24 g/s. |
| • | The VIN 1 average mass airflow for the sample period is less than 29 g/s. |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
The HO2S 2 voltage remains within 150 mV of the bias voltage, or approximately 450 mV, for too long. The time ranges from 95 seconds to 130 seconds, depending on the ECT at startup and the average air flow since startup.
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The PCM will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the second consecutive trip in which the diagnostic test has been run and failed. |
| • | The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame/Failure Records data. |
Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
| • | The PCM will turn OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has run and passed. |
| • | The history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction. |
| • | The DTC can be cleared by using a scan tool. |
Diagnostic Aids
Inspect for the following conditions:
Many situations may lead to an intermittent condition. Perform each inspection or test as directed.
Important: : Remove any debris from the connector surfaces before servicing a component. Inspect the connector gaskets when diagnosing or replacing a component. Ensure that the gaskets are installed correctly. The gaskets prevent contaminate intrusion.
| • | Loose terminal connection |
| - | Use a corresponding mating terminal to test for proper tension. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections , and to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems for diagnosis and repair. |
| - | Inspect the harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and faulty terminal to wire connection. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections , and to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems for diagnosis and repair. |
| • | Damaged harness--Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness inspection does not reveal a problem, observe the display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the sensor. A change in the scan tool display may indicate the location of the fault. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems for diagnosis and repair. |
| • | Inspect the powertrain control module (PCM) and the engine grounds for clean and secure connections. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems for diagnosis and repair. |
If the condition is determined to be intermittent, reviewing the Snapshot or Freeze Frame/Failure Records may be useful in determining when the DTC or condition was identified.
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table:
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The HO2S should be allowed to cool before performing this test. If the HO2S heater is functioning, the signal voltage will gradually increase or decrease as the sensor element warms. If the heater is not functioning, the HO2S signal will remain near the 450 mv bias voltage.
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This step ensures that the ignition feed circuit to the HO2S is not open or shorted. The test lamp should be connected to a good chassis ground, in case the HO2S low or HO2S heater ground circuit is malfunctioning.
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This step tests the HO2S heater ground circuit.
-
This step tests for an open or shorted HO2S heater element.
Important: The heater element resistance will vary according to HO2S temperature. A hot HO2S heater element will measure a much higher resistance than a HO2S heater element that is at room temperature. Allow the HO2S to cool before measuring HO2S heater element resistance.
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An open HO2S signal or a low circuit can cause the DTC to set with a good HO2S. Test the HO2S signal and the HO2S low circuits before replacing the sensor.
Step | Action | Values | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Did you perform the Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check? | -- | ||
|
Important: If the engine has just been operating, allow engine to cool for about one hour before proceeding.
Does HO2S voltage go from bias voltage to greater than the first specified value or less than the second specified value within 2 minutes? | 600 mV 300 mV | Go to Diagnostic Aids | ||
3 | Inspect the fuse for the HO2S 2 ignition feed circuit. Is the fuse open? | -- | ||
Important: Use a known good ground. Do not use the HO2S 2 heater ground or the HO2S 2 low circuit. Does the test lamp illuminate? | -- | |||
Connect the test lamp between HO2S 2 ignition feed and HO2S 2 heater ground. Does test lamp illuminate? | -- | |||
Is the resistance within the specified values? | 4-6 ohms | |||
7 | Repair open HO2S 2 ignition feed circuit to HO2S 2. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you complete the repair? | -- | -- | |
8 | Repair open HO2S 2 heater ground circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you complete the repair? | -- | -- | |
9 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | ||
10 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | ||
11 | Inspect the HO2S 2 signal circuit and the HO2S 2 low circuit for a poor connection at the HO2S 2 harness connector. Repair the condition as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | ||
12 | Inspect the HO2S 2 low circuit for a poor connection at the PCM. Repair the condition as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | ||
13 | Inspect the HO2S 2 signal circuit for a poor connection at the PCM. Repair the condition as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | ||
14 | Replace HO2S 2. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | -- | -- | |
15 | Repair short to ground in the HO2S 1 or the HO2S 2 ignition feed circuit, and replace the fuse. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you complete the repair? | -- | -- | |
16 |
Important: If engine has just been operating, allow the engine to cool for 1/2 hour before you proceed.
Does HO2S voltage go from bias voltage to more than the first specified value, or to less than the second specified value within 2 minutes? | 600 mV 300 mV | System OK |
