P0141

Schematic:

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 the pre-catalyst oxygen sensors to become active. An oxygen sensor heater is required by catalyst monitor sensor to maintain a sufficiently high temperature which 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 startup) and only once during an ignition cycle. When the engine is started the PCM will monitor the HO2S voltage. When the post HO2S voltage indicates a sufficiently active sensor, the PCM looks at how much time has elapsed since startup. If the PCM determines that too much time was required for the post HO2S to become active, this 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 startup (higher average airflow or higher startup engine coolant temperature = shorter time to HO2S activity).

CONDITIONS FOR RUNNING THE DTC
^ No Misfire, CKP, Fuel injector, MAF, TP, EVAP, IAT, MAP, Fuel trim, EGR or ECT DTCs. System voltage is between 9 and 18 volts.
^ Intake air temperature (IAT) is less than 35°C (95°F) at startup
^ Engine coolant temperature (ECT) is less than 35°C (95°F) at startup.
^ IAT and ECT are within 6°C (11°F) of each other at start-up.
^ The average mass air flow for the sample period is less than 22.7 gm/s.

CONDITIONS FOR SETTING THE DTC
^ Post HO2S voltage remains within 150 mV of the bias voltage (about 450 mV).
^ The amount of time depends on engine coolant temperature at startup and the average air flow since startup.

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 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
Inspect for the following:

IMPORTANT: Remove any debris from the connector surfaces before servicing a component. Inspect the connector gaskets when diagnosing or replacing a component. Ensure that the gaskets are installed correctly. The gaskets prevent contaminate intrusion.

^ Poor terminal connection.
Inspect the harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and faulty terminal to wire connection. Use a corresponding mating terminal to test for proper tension. Refer to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Diagrams.
^ 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 may indicate the location of the fault. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Diagrams.
^ Inspect the PCM and the engine grounds for clean and secure connections.

If the DTC is determined to be intermittent, reviewing the Failure Records can be useful in determining when the DTC was last set.

TEST DESCRIPTION

Steps 1 - 3:

Steps 4 - 16:

The numbers below refer to the step numbers 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. This step 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 faulty.
5. This step tests the HO2S heater ground circuit.
6. This step tests for an open or shorted HO2S heater element. 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). It is important to allow the HO2S to cool before measuring HO2S heater element resistance.
11. An open HO2S signal or low circuit can cause the HO2S heater to appear faulty. Inspect these circuits before replacing the sensor.