P0141

Circuit Description
Heated oxygen sensors are used to minimize the amount of time required for closed loop fuel control operation and to allow accurate catalyst monitoring. The oxygen sensor heater greatly decreases the amount of time required for fuel control sensor HO2S 1 to become active. The oxygen sensor heater is required by catalyst monitor sensor HO2S 2 to maintain a sufficiently high temperature. This allows accurate exhaust oxygen content readings further from the engine.

The PCM will run the heater test only after a cold start (determined by engine coolant and intake air temperature at the time of start-up) 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 start-up. If the PCM determines that too much time was required for the HO2S 2 to become active, the DTC will set. The time it should take the HO2S to reach operating temperature is based on the engine coolant temperature at start-up and the average Mass Air Flow since start-up (more total airflow or higher start-up engine coolant temperature = shorter time to HO2S activity).

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 CKP sensor DTC present.
^ System voltage is between 9 and 16 volts.
^ Intake Air Temperature (IAT) is less than 35°C (95°F) at start-up.
^ Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) is less than 35°C (95°F) at start-up.
^ IAT and ECT are within 6°C (11°F) of each other at start-up.
^ VIN 1 - Average mass airflow for the sample period is less than 27 g/s.

Conditions for Setting the DTC
HO2S 2 voltage remains within 150 mV of the bias voltage (about 450 mV) for a longer amount of time than it should. The amount of time ranges between 1.5 and 2 minutes depending on engine coolant temperature at start-up and average air flow since start-up.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
^ The PCM will illuminate the 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 and Fail Records data.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
^ The PCM will turn the MIL OFF during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has been 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:
^ Poor connections at the PCM or the HO2S.
Inspect harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and poor terminal to wire connection.
^ Damaged harness.
Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the sensor. A change in the display will indicate the location of the malfunction.

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.

Test Description
Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.
2. 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.
4. 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.
5. Checks the HO2S heater ground circuit.
6. Checks 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 at room temperature). Allow the HO2S to cool before measuring HO2S heater element resistance.

11. An open HO2S signal or low circuit can cause the DTC to set with a good HO2S. Check the HO2S signal and the HO2S low circuits before replacing the sensor.