P2A00

DTC P2A00 A/F Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 1 Sensor 1)
DTC P2A03 A/F Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 2 Sensor 1)

DESCRIPTION

HINT:
- DTC P2A00 indicates malfunctions related to the bank 1 A/F sensor.
- DTC P2A03 indicates malfunctions related to the bank 2 A/F sensor.
- Bank 1 refers to the bank that includes cylinder No. 1.
- Bank 2 refers to the bank that includes cylinder No. 2.
- Sensor 1 refers to the sensor mounted in front of the Three-Way Catalytic Converter (TWC) and located near the engine assembly.
- Although the DTC titles say oxygen sensor, these DTCs relate to the Air-Fuel Ratio (A/F) sensor.

DTC Detection Condition:

The A/F sensor generates voltage* that corresponds to the actual air-fuel ratio. This sensor voltage is used to provide the ECM with feedback so that it can control the air-fuel ratio. The ECM determines the deviation from the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio level, and regulates the fuel injection time. If the A/F sensor malfunctions, the ECM is unable to control the air-fuel ratio accurately.

The A/F sensor is the planar type and is integrated with the heater, which heats the solid electrolyte (zirconia element). This heater is controlled by the ECM. When the intake air volume is low (the exhaust gas temperature is low), a current flows into the heater to heat the sensor, in order to facilitate accurate oxygen concentration detection. In addition, the sensor and heater portions are narrower than the conventional type. The heat generated by the heater is conducted to the solid electrolyte through the alumina, therefore the sensor activation is accelerated.

A three-way catalytic converter (TWC) is used in order to convert the carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), and nitrogen oxide (NOx) into less harmful substances. To allow the TWC to function effectively, it is necessary to keep the air-fuel ratio of the engine near the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.

*: Value changes inside the ECM. Since the A/F sensor is the current output element, a current is converted to a voltage inside the ECM. Any measurements taken at the A/F sensor or ECM connectors will show a constant voltage.

MONITOR DESCRIPTION
After the engine is warmed up, the ECM performs air-fuel ratio feedback control to maintain the air-fuel ratio at the stoichiometric level. In addition, active A/F ratio control is performed for approximately 10 seconds after preconditions are met in order to measure the A/F sensor response rate. During active A/F ratio control, the ECM forcibly increases and decreases the injection volume by a certain amount, based on the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio learned during normal air-fuel ratio control, and measures the A/F sensor response rate. The ECM receives a signal from the A/F sensor while performing active A/F ratio control and uses it to calculate the A/F sensor response rate deterioration level.




If the value for A/F sensor response rate deterioration level is less than the threshold, the ECM interprets this as a malfunction and sets the DTC.

CONFIRMATION DRIVING PATTERN

HINT: Performing this confirmation pattern will activate the A/F sensor response monitor.







1. Connect an intelligent tester to the DLC3.
2. Turn the engine switch on (IG).
3. Turn the tester on.
4. Clear the DTCs (where set).
5. Select the following menu items: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / MONITOR INFO / MONITOR RESULT.
6. Check that RES RATE B1S1 is INCOMP.
7. Start the engine and warm it up (Procedure "A").
8. Drive the vehicle at between 25 mph and 75 mph (40 km/h and 120 km/h) for 3 minutes. However, the vehicle should be driven at a constant speed (Procedure "B").
9. Check the monitor result values on the intelligent tester by selecting the following menu items: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / MONITOR INFO / TEST RESULT.
10. If the values indicated on the tester do not change, perform READINESS MONITOR DRIVE PATTERN for the A/F sensor and the heated oxygen sensor.

HINT: Completion of all A/F sensor monitors is required to change the value in TEST RESULT.

11. Note the value of the Monitor Result.
12. Select the following menu items: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / DTC INFO / PENDING CODES.
13. Check if any DTCs (any pending DTCs) are set.

Monitor Strategy:

Typical Enabling Conditions:

Typical Malfunction Thresholds:

MONITOR RESULT
Refer to CHECKING MONITOR STATUS Mode 6 Data

INSPECTION PROCEDURE

HINT: Intelligent tester only:

Malfunctioning areas can be identified by performing the A/F CONTROL function provided in the ACTIVE TEST. The A/F CONTROL function can help to determine whether the Air-fuel Ratio (A/F) sensor, Heated Oxygen (HO2) sensor and other potential trouble areas are malfunctioning.

The following instructions describe how to conduct the A/F CONTROL operation using the intelligent tester.

1. Connect the intelligent tester to the DLC3.
2. Start the engine and turn the tester on.
3. Warm up the engine at an engine speed of 2,500 rpm for approximately 90 seconds.
4. On the intelligent tester, enter the following menus: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / ACTIVE TEST / A/F CONTROL.
5. Perform the A/F CONTROL operation with the engine in an idling condition (press the RIGHT or LEFT button to change the fuel injection volume).
6. Monitor the output voltages of the A/F and HO2 sensors (AFS B1 S1 and O2S B1 S2 or AFS B2 S1 and O2S B2 S2) displayed on the tester.





HINT:
- The A/F CONTROL operation lowers the fuel injection volume by 12.5% or increases the injection volume by 25%.
- Each sensor reacts in accordance with increases in the fuel injection volume.








NOTE: The Air-Fuel Ratio (A/F) sensor has an output delay of a few seconds and the Heated Oxygen (HO2) sensor has a maximum output delay of approximately 20 seconds.

- Following the A/F CONTROL procedure enables technicians to check and graph the voltage outputs of both the A/F and HO2 sensors.
- To display the graph, enter the following menus: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / ACTIVE TEST / A/F CONTROL / USER DATA / AFS B1 S1 and O2S B1 S2 or AFS B2 S1 and O2S B2 S2, and press the YES button and then the ENTER button followed by the F4 button.

HINT:
- DTC P2A00 or P2A03 may also be set, when the air-fuel ratio is stuck rich or lean.
- A low A/F sensor voltage could be caused by a rich air-fuel mixture. Check for conditions that would cause the engine to run rich.
- A high A/F sensor voltage could be caused by a lean air-fuel mixture. Check for conditions that would cause the engine to run lean.
- Read freeze frame data using the intelligent tester. The ECM records vehicle and driving condition information as freeze frame data the moment a DTC is stored. When troubleshooting, freeze frame data can be helpful in determining whether the vehicle was running or stopped, whether the engine was warmed up or not, whether the air-fuel ratio was lean or rich, as well as other data recorded at the time of a malfunction.

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