GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 574239  Size: MF
Engine Controls Components
Heated Oxygen Sensors
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

To control emissions of Hydrocarbons (HC), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), a three-way catalytic converter is used. The catalyst within the converter promotes a chemical reaction which oxidizes the HC and CO present in the exhaust gas, converting them into harmless water vapor and carbon dioxide. The catalyst also reduces NOx, converting it to nitrogen. The PCM has the ability to monitor this process using the HO2S 1 and the HO2S 2 heated oxygen sensors. The HO2S 1 sensor produces an output signal which indicates the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust gas entering the three-way catalytic converter. The HO2S 2 sensor produces an output signal which indicates the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst. This in turn indicates the catalyst's ability to convert exhaust gases efficiently. If the catalyst is operating efficiently, the HO2S 1 signal will be far more active than that produced by the HO2S 2 sensor. If the HO2S 2 signal voltage remains excessively low for an extended period of time, DTC P0137 will be set.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • None of the following active DTCs are present:
       - Throttle position (TP) sensor
       - Evaporative emissions (EVAP) system
       - Misfire
       - Intake air temperature (IAT) sensor
       - Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor
       - Fuel trim
       - Fuel injector circuit
       - EGR pintle position
       - Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor
       - Crankshaft position (CKP) sensor
       - Mass air flow (MAF) sensor
    • The closed loop commanded air/fuel ratio is between 14.5:1 and 14.8:1.
    • The throttle angle is between 3 percent and 40 percent .

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The HO2S 2 signal voltage remains less than 10 mV during normal closed loop operation.
        OR
    • The HO2S 2 signal voltage remains less than 600 mV during power enrichment mode fuel control operation.
    • The condition is present for up to 5 minutes (VIN K).
        The condition is present for up to 8 minutes (VIN 1).

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

Check for the following conditions:

    • The heated oxygen sensor pigtail may be mispositioned and contacting the exhaust system.
    • A condition which causes a lean exhaust can cause DTC P0137 to set. The system will go lean if pressure is too low. The PCM can compensate for some decrease. However, if fuel pressure is too low, a DTC P0137 may be set.
    • Correct fuel injector operation
        Refer to Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Between 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F) or Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Outside 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F) .
    • Check for the following vacuum leaks conditions:
       - Any disconnected or damaged vacuum hoses, refer to Emission Hose Routing Diagram .
       - An incorrectly installed or malfunctioning crankcase ventilation valve, refer to Crankcase Ventilation System Inspection .
       - Any vacuum leaks at the throttle body, the EGR valve, and the intake manifold mounting surfaces
    • An exhaust leak may cause outside air to be pulled into the exhaust gas stream past the HO2S, causing DTC P0137 to set. Check for exhaust leaks near the HO2S 2 sensor.
    • Check the throttle body inlet screen for damage or objects that may alter the airflow sample through the MAF sensor. If a problem is found, correct as necessary. Refer to Throttle Body Inspection and Cleaning .
    • Disconnect the MAF sensor. If the lean condition is corrected with the MAF sensor disconnected, replace MAF sensor. Refer to Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement .
    • Fuel contamination
        Water, even in small amounts, can be delivered to the fuel injectors. The water can cause a lean exhaust to be indicated. Excessive alcohol in the fuel can also cause this condition. Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .

Test Description

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

  1. DTC P0137 failing during power enrichment operation (TP angle more than 60 percent ) may indicate a condition described in Diagnostic Aids. If the DTC P0137 test passes while the Fail Records conditions are being duplicated, an intermittent condition is indicated. Reviewing the Fail Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.

  2. This vehicle is equipped with a PCM which utilizes an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). When the PCM is replaced, the new PCM must be programmed.

DTC P0137 - HO2S Circuit Low Voltage Sensor 2

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

1

Was the Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Important: During this step, observe all HO2S voltage parameters. If all parameters remain below the specified value refer to Diagnostic Aids.

  1. Ensure that the engine is at operating temperature and operate the vehicle within the parameters specified under DTC P0137 Conditions For Setting the DTC.
  2. Monitor the HO2S 2 voltage display on the scan tool HO2S data list.

Does the HO2S 2 voltage remain at less than the specified value?

150 mV

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn ON the ignition switch.
  2. Review and record scan tool Fail Records data.
  3. Operate vehicle within Fail Records conditions as noted.
  4. Monitor Specific DTC info for DTC P0137 until the DTC P0137 test runs, using a scan tool.

Does scan tool indicate DTC P0137 failed this ignition?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Diagnostic Aids

4

Disconnect the HO2S 2 and jumper the HO2S 2 low circuit (PCM side) to ground.

Is the HO2S 2 voltage approximately equal to the specified value?

450 mV

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition switch.
  2. Disconnect the PCM.
  3. Check the HO2S 2 signal circuit for a short to ground or a short to the sensor ground circuit.
  4. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

6

Important:: The replacement PCM must be programmed.

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

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 7

--

7

  1. Turn ON the ignition switch.
  2. Review and record the scan tool Failure Records data.
  3. Clear the DTCs.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Failure Records conditions as noted.
  5. Monitor the Specific DTC info for DTC P0137 until the DTC P0137 test runs using a scan tool.

Does the scan tool indicate DTC P0137 failed this ignition?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK