GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 280475  Size: LF
Engine Controls Components
Cell 20: HO2S 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. The powertrain control module (PCM) monitors this voltage and determines by the exhaust gas oxygen content whether the air/fuel mixture is rich or lean. When the voltage input at the PCM is about 100 mV the HO2S is indicating a lean air/fuel mixture. When the voltage input is about 900 mV the HO2S is indicating rich air/fuel mixture. The PCM constantly monitors the HO2S signal during closed loop operation and compensates for the rich or the lean condition by decreasing or increasing fuel injector pulse width. A DTC P0132 will be set if the HO2S 1 voltage remains excessively high for an extended period of time.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • Barometric pressure is greater than 75 kPa.
    • Intake air temperature is between -10°C to 70°C (14°F to 158°F).
    • Engine coolant temperature is greater than 80°C (176°F).
    • Vehicle speed is above 50 km/h (30 mph) for 2 minutes and then idled for 2 minutes.
    • Engine is running.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

Minimum HO2S voltage is greater than 600 mV.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after two consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs with the fault active.
    • The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. This information is stored in the Freeze Frame buffer.
    • The PCM enters the Fail-Safe Function and stops EVAP purge control.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The MIL turns OFF after three consecutively passing trips without a fault present.
    • A History DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles without a fault.
    • Use the scan tool Clear DTC Information function or disconnect the PCM battery feed in order to clear the DTC.

Diagnostic Aids

A DTC P0132 is more likely to set during city driving. Avoid operating the vehicle on the highway when validating a DTC P0132.

Clear the DTCs. Road test the vehicle while monitoring the HO2S test in the MIL/System Status selection under System Information on the scan tool. When the HO2S test indicates complete with a YES status, check for a DTC P0132 under Last Test Failed. If there is no DTC P0132 indicated, the DTC is intermittent and the HO2S system diagnostic is indicating OK at this time.

Check for any of the following conditions:

    • Check for good PCM to engine electrical grounds.
    • Incorrect fuel pressure--The fuel system can go rich if the fuel pressure is too high and a DTC P0132 may be set. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • A leaking or incorrectly calibrated fuel injector
    • A saturated EVAP canister or faulty EVAP purge control. Refer to Evaporative Emission Control System Diagnosis .
    • A leaking fuel pressure regulator--Fuel leaking past the fuel pressure regulator diaphragm can enter the engine through the vacuum passage to the regulator and cause a rich condition.
    • EGR valve leak--Small amounts of exhaust gas leaking past the EGR valve may cause the HO2S to generate false high voltage readings. Check that there is no flow of exhaust gases when the EGR valve is closed.
    • A shorted heated oxygen sensor (HO2S)--An HO2S that is shorted to voltage will display a reading over 1.0 volt on the scan tool. Water contamination of the HO2S can cause a high HO2S voltage to be indicated. A DTC P0132 that occurs more frequently when driving through standing water or when operating the vehicle in wet driving conditions can indicate a water intrusion. Replace the HO2S if it is adversely affected by moisture.
    • A faulty electrical connection to the PCM

An intermittent malfunction may be caused by a fault in the HO2S 1 sensor electrical circuit. Inspect the wiring harness and components for any of the following conditions:

    • Backed out terminals
    • Improper mating of terminals
    • Broken electrical connector locks
    • Improperly formed or damaged terminals
    • Faulty terminal to wire connections
    • Physical damage to the wiring harness
    • A broken wire inside the insulation
    • Corrosion of electrical connections, splices, or terminals

If a DTC P0132 cannot be duplicated, the information included in the Freeze Frame data can be useful in determining vehicle operating conditions when the DTC was first set.

Test Description

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

  1. The Powertrain OBD system check requires the technician to complete some basic checks and to store the freeze frame data on the scan tool. This creates an electronic copy of the data if the fault occurred. The information is stored in the scan tool for later reference.

  2. This step determines if the fault is present. The vehicle must be at operating temperature.

  3. This step checks if the malfunction that causes the DTC P0132 is present. A road test of the vehicle under the same conditions will verify that the fault is present. Monitor the DTC P0132 diagnostic on the scan. If the HO2S test displays a YES status, check for a DTC P0132 on of the scan tool. If there is not any DTC, P0132 displayed the HO2S system that diagnostic has run and passed, indicating that malfunction was not present this time. Clear the DTCs in order to view the current status of the system diagnostics. The MIL System Status tests indicate that the test ran. The tests do not indicate that the system passed. The Last Test Failed screen must be checked for related DTCs in order to determine the result of the diagnostic test.

  4. This step checks for an open in the HO2S 1 ground circuit.

  5. This step checks for a short in the HO2S 1 signal circuit.

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

Are any HO2S 1 DTCs present with P0131 and with P0132?

--

Go to the Applicable DTC Table

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Run the engine in order to attain normal operating temperature.
  3. Increase the engine speed to 2 000 RPM for 1 minute.
  4. Monitor the HO2S 1 voltage with a scan tool.

Does the HO2S 1 voltage switch below the specified value and above the specified value?

300-600  mV

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4

  1. Turn ON the ignition, leaving the engine OFF.
  2. Clear the DTC.
  3. Operate the vehicle within Freeze Frame conditions as specified or until the HO2S test is complete.

Does the HO2S 1 voltage switch below the specified value and above the specified value?

300-600  mV

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Disconnect the HO2S 1 electrical connector.
  2. Connect a test lamp to B+. Probe the HO2S 1 ground circuit on the harness side.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 7

6

Observe the HO2S 1 parameter on the scan tool with the sensor electrical connector disconnected.

Is the voltage displayed below the specified value?

100  mV

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

7

  1. Check for an open in the HO2S 1 ground circuit.
  2. Repair the circuit as necessary.
  3. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

8

  1. Check the HO2S 1 signal circuit for a short to voltage.
  2. Repair the circuit as necessary.
  3. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

9

Replace the HO2S 1. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 11

--

10

Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 11

--

11

  1. Clear the DTC. Road test the vehicle within the Freeze Frame conditions which set the DTC.
  2. Review the scan tool data.
  3. The repair is complete if DTCs are not stored.

Are any DTCs displayed on the scan tool?

--

Go to the applicable DTC table

System OK