GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 70478  Size: LF
Engine Controls Components
Cell 20: Heated Oxygen Sensors
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

The heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) produces a voltage that varies between -100 mV and 900 mV under the normal operating conditions. On the Catera, the full operating range of the HO2S circuit is approximately from -406 mV to 1124 mV. The Engine Control Module (ECM) monitors this voltage and determines if the exhaust is lean or rich. The oxygen sensor voltage is high when the exhaust is rich, and low when the exhaust is lean. The ECM constantly monitors the HO2S signal during the closed loop operation and compensates for a rich or a lean condition by decreasing or increasing the injector pulse width as necessary. If the oxygen sensor cannot cause the voltage to swing below 350 mV or above 555 mV, this DTC will set.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The HO2S heater is on for longer than 200 seconds.
    • The secondary AIR diagnostic is not running.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The HO2S voltage stays between 350 mV and 555 mV.
    • The above conditions met for at least 3.5 seconds

OR

    • DFCO Active for more than 2 seconds and the HO2S voltage is greater than 200 mV.
    • The above conditions met for at least 200 milliseconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

The ECM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and records the operating conditions in the Freeze Frame on the second consecutive drive trip that the diagnostic runs and fails.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The ECM turns OFF the MIL after three consecutive drive trips that the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A History DTC clears after forty consecutive warm-up cycles in which no failures are reported by this diagnostic or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • The ECM battery voltage is interrupted.
    • The scan tool clears the MIL/DTC.

Diagnostic Aids

Use the Connector Test Adapter Kit J 35616 for any test that requires probing the ECM harness connector or a component harness connector. Using this kit will prevent damage to the harness connector terminals.

Check for the following conditions:

    • The sensor pigtail or the harness may be mis-positioned and contacting the exhaust system.
    • Heated oxygen sensor wiring. Inspect the harness connectors for the following conditions:
       - Backed out terminals
       - Improper mating
       - Broken locks
       - Improperly formed or damaged terminals
       - Poor terminal to wire connection
       - Corrosion and water intrusion

Refer to Engine Control Module Diagnosis, Checking Terminal Contact for the proper procedure. An oxygen supply inside of the HO2S is necessary for a proper operation. This supply of oxygen is provided through the HO2S wires. All of the HO2S wires and connections should be inspected for any breaks or any contamination. If any of the wiring repairs need to be made, refer to Electrical Diagnosis in Engine El

Test Description

The number(s) below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. The engine must be at the normal operating temperature before performing this test.

  2. Using the Freeze Frame data may aid in locating an intermittent condition. If the DTC cannot be duplicated, review the information in the Freeze Frame. Try to operate the vehicle within the same freeze frame conditions (the RPM, the MAF, the vehicle speed, the temperature, etc.) that were noted. This process may help in order to recreate the malfunction.

DTC P0160 - Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Circuit Insufficient Activity Bank 2 Sensor 2

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

Visually/physically inspect the following items:

    • Ensure that the HO2S is securely installed.
    • Check for terminal corrosion or water intrusion.
    • Check the terminal tension (at the HO2S and at the ECM). Refer to Electrical Diagnosis in Engine Electrical, and Troubleshooting Procedures for the proper procedure. Also, refer to Checking Terminal Contact in Engine Control Module Diagnosis .
    • Check for any damaged wiring.

Was a problem found and corrected?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn on the ignition with the engine off.
  2. Disconnect the HO2S.
  3. Measure the voltage from the HO2S signal circuit in the HO2S harness connector to ground with the DVM J 39200 .

Is the voltage within the specified range?

900-1200 mV

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 10

4

Measure the voltage from the HO2S Low circuit in the HO2S harness connector to ground with the DVM J 39200 .

Is the voltage within the specified range?

700-800 mV

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

5

Use a fused jumper in order to jumper the HO2S signal circuit to ground in the harness connector.

Does the scan tool indicate the HO2S voltage within the specified range?

-400- -410 mV

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 22

6

  1. Continue to monitor the voltage from the HO2S Low circuit in the HO2S harness connector to ground.
  2. Disconnect the other three HO2S. As each sensor is disconnected, recheck the voltage on the DVM.

Does disconnecting one of the other sensors restore the voltage to the specified range?

700-800 mV

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Leave all of the HO2S disconnected.
  2. Turn off the ignition.
  3. Disconnect the ECM.
  4. Turn on the ignition.
  5. Measure the voltage from the HO2S Low circuit in the ECM harness connector to battery ground with the DVM J 39200 .

Is there any voltage present?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 8

8

Check the harness for continuity of the HO2S Low circuit with the DVM J 39200 .

Is continuity indicated?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 15

9

Check the harness for continuity between the HO2S Low circuit and battery ground with the DVM J 39200 .

Is continuity indicated?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 21

10

  1. Leave the HO2S disconnected.
  2. Turn off the ignition.
  3. Disconnect the ECM.
  4. Turn on the ignition.
  5. Measure the voltage from the HO2S Signal circuit in the ECM harness connector to battery ground with the DVM J 39200 .

Is there any voltage present?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 11

11

Check the harness for continuity of the HO2S Signal circuit with the DVM J 39200 .

Is continuity indicated?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 18

12

Check the harness for continuity between the HO2S Signal circuit and battery ground with the DVM J 39200 .

Is continuity indicated?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 21

13

Replace the shorted HO2S.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 23

--

14

Check the harness for continuity between the HO2S Signal circuit Repair the HO2S Low circuit shorted to voltage.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 23

--

15

Repair the open/high resistance in the HO2S Low circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 23

--

16

Repair the short to ground in the HO2S Low circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 23

--

17

Repair the signal circuit that is shorted to voltage.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 23

--

18

Repair the open/high resistance in the signal circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 23

--

19

Repair the short to ground in the signal circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 23

--

20

Replace the HO2S.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 23

--

21

Check for a poor connection or poor terminal tension at the ECM harness connector. Refer to Electrical Diagnosis in Engine Electrical, and Troubleshooting Procedures for the proper procedure. Also, refer to Checking Terminal Contact in Engine Control Module Diagnosis .

Was a problem found and corrected?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 22

22

Important: This vehicle is equipped with a Theft Deterrent System which interfaces with the Engine Control Module (ECM). Program the new ECM with the frequency code of the theft deterrent module that is currently on the vehicle.

Replace the ECM. Refer to Engine Control Module Replacement/Programming .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 23

--

23

  1. Clear the DTCs with the scan tool.
  2. Turn off the ignition for 15 seconds.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the conditions that are required for this diagnostic to run. Refer to Conditions for Running the DTC.
  4. Check for any DTCs.

Is this DTC set?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 24

24

Were there any additional DTCs noted during the Powertrain OBD System Check that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to the applicable DTC table

The System is OK