DTC P0140 HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Sensor 2. Buick Regal 1996

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 1996 🢒 Regal 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 3.8L 🢒 DTC P0140 HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Sensor 2

Refer to

HO2S Sensors

Engine Controls Components
Information Sensors
IAC Valve, Trans Range
MAF Sensor, EVAP System EGR Valve
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
.

The powertrain control module (PCM) supplies a bias voltage of about 450 mV between the HO2S high and low signal circuits. When measured with a 10 megohm digital voltmeter, this may display as low as 320 mV. The oxygen sensor varies the voltage within a range of about 1000 mV when the exhaust is rich, down through about 10 mV when exhaust is lean. The PCM constantly monitors the HO2S signal during closed loop operation and compensates for a rich or lean condition by decreasing or increasing injector pulse width as necessary. If the HO2S 2 voltage remains at or near the 450 mV bias for an extended period of time, DTC P0140 will be set, indicating an open sensor signal or sensor low circuit.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

•	No active TP sensor, EVAP system, misfire, IAT sensor, MAP sensor, fuel trim, fuel injector circuit, EGR Pintle, ECT sensor, or MAF sensor DTC(s) present.

•	Engine run time longer than 3 minutes.

•	HO2S 2 signal voltage remains between 425 mV and 475 mV for longer than 100 seconds.

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 and Failure Records data.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

•	The PCM will turn OFF the MIL 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 the scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

•	Poor connection or damaged harness. Inspect the harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, poor terminal to wire connection, and damaged harness.

•

Faulty HO2S heater or heater circuit. With the ignition ON, engine OFF, the HO2S voltage displayed on a scan tool should gradually drop to below 250mV. If not, disconnect the HO2S and connect a test light between the HO2S ignition feed and heater ground circuits. If the test light does not light, repair the open ignition feed or sensor ground circuit as necessary. If the test light lights and the HO2S signal and low circuits are OK, replace the HO2S. Refer Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement .

•	Intermittent test. With the ignition ON, monitor the HO2S signal voltage while moving the wiring harness and related connectors. If the fault is induced, the HO2S signal voltage will change. This may help isolate the location of the malfunction.

Test Description

Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table:

If the DTC P0140 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.

This vehicle is equipped with a PCM which utilizes an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM). When the PCM is being replaced, the new PCM must be programmed.

DTC P0140 - HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Sensor 2

Step	Action	Value(s)	Yes	No
1	Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed?	--	Go to Step 2	Go to the Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check
2	Engine at operating temperature. Operate the engine above 1200 RPM for two minutes while monitoring HO2S 2 voltage on the scan tool HO2S data list. Does the scan tool indicate HO2S 2 voltage varying outside the specified values?	425-475 mV	Go to Step 3	Go to Step 4
3	Turn ON the ignition switch. Review and record scan tool Fail Records data and note parameters. Operate vehicle within Fail Records conditions as noted. Using a scan tool, monitor Specific DTC info for DTC P0140 until the DTC P0140 test runs. Note test result; does scan tool indicate DTC failed this ign?	--	Go to Step 4	Refer to Diagnostic Aids
4	Turn ON the ignition switch. Disconnect HO2S 2 and jumper the HO2S signal and low circuits (PCM side) to ground. Using a scan tool, monitor HO2S 2 voltage. Is HO2S 2 voltage less than the specified value?	150 mV	Go to Step 8	Go to Step 5
5	Remove the jumper wire. Using a J 39200 Digital Multimeter, measure voltage between the HO2S 2 signal circuit (PCM side) and the HO2S 2 heater ground circuit. Does HO2S 2 signal voltage measure near the specified value?	450 mV	Go to Step 6	Go to Step 7
6	Turn OFF the ignition switch. Disconnect the PCM. Check continuity of the HO2S 2 low circuit. If the HO2S 2 low circuit measures over 5 ohms, repair open or poor connection as necessary. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor (O2S) Repair in Electrical Diagnosis. Was H02s 2 low circuit problem found?	--	Go to Step 13	Go to Step 9
7	Turn OFF the ignition switch. Disconnect the PCM. Check continuity of the HO2S 2 signal circuit. If the HO2S 2 signal circuit measures over 5 ohms, repair open or poor connection as necessary. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor (O2S) Repair in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found?	--	Go to Step 13	Go to Step 10
8	Check for a poor HO2S 2 signal or low circuit terminal connection at the HO2S 2 harness connector. If a problem is found, replace terminal(s) as necessary. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor (O2S) Repair in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found?	--	Go to Step 13	Go to Step 11
9	Check for poor HO2S 2 low circuit terminal connection at the PCM. If a problem is found, replace terminal as necessary. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor (O2S) Repair in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found?	--	Go to Step 13	Go to Step 12
10	Check for poor HO2S 2 signal circuit terminal connection at the PCM. If a problem is found, replace terminal as necessary. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor (O2S) Repair in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found?	--	Go to Step 13	Go to Step 12
11	Replace HO2S 2. Go to Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement Is action complete?	--	Go to Step 13	--
12	Replace the PCM. Important:: The replacement PCM must be programmed. Go to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming . Is action complete?	--	Go to Step 13	--
13	Turn ON the ignition switch. Review and record scan tool Fail Records data. Clear DTCs. Operate vehicle within Fail Records conditions as noted. Using a scan tool, monitor Specific DTC info for DTC P0140 until the DTC P0140 test runs. Note test result; does scan tool indicate DTC failed this ign?	--	Go to Step 2	System OK