GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0153: HO2S Slow Response Bank 2 Sensor 1

DTC P0154: HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Bank 2 Sensor 1

DTC P0160: HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Bank 2 Sensor 2

DTC P1153: HO2S Insufficient Switching Bank 2 Sensor 1

DTC P2A04: HO2S Performance Bank 2 Sensor 2

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

High Resistance

Open

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

HO2S High Signal

P0131, P0132, P0137, P0140, P0151, P0152, P0157, P0158, P1133, P2A01, P2A04

P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0137, P0140, P0151, P0152, P0153, P0154, P0157, P0160, P1133, P1153, P2A01, P2A04

P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0137, P0140, P0151, P0152, P0153, P0154, P0157, P0160, P1133, P1153, P2A01, P2A04

P0132, P0134, P0138, P0140, P0152, P0154, P0158, P0160, P1133, P1153, P2A01, P2A04

P0133, P0134, P0140, P0153, P0154, P0160, P1133, P1153, P2A01, P2A04

HO2S Low Signal

P2A01, P2A04

P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0138, P0140, P0151, P0152, P0153, P0154, P0158, P0160, P1133, P2A01, P2A04

P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0138, P0140, P0151, P0152, P0153, P0154, P0158, P0160, P1133, P1153, P2A01, P2A04

P0134, P0138, P0140, P0154, P0158, P0160, P1133, P1153, P2A01, P2A04

P2A01, P2A04

Typical Scan Tool Data

HO2S Sensor 1 Voltage

Circuit

Normal Range

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

HO2S High Signal

200-800 mV

0 mV

Approximately 470 mV

Approximately 1,100 mV

HO2S Low Signal

200-800 mV

455 mV

Approximately 450 mV

Approximately 445 mV

Circuit/System Description

Heated oxygen sensors (HO2S) are used for fuel control and post catalyst monitoring. Each HO2S compares the oxygen content of the surrounding air with the oxygen content in the exhaust stream. The HO2S must reach operating temperature to provide an accurate voltage signal. Heating elements inside the HO2S minimize the time required for the sensors to reach operating temperature. The control module supplies the HO2S with a reference, or bias, voltage of about 450 mV. When the engine is first started, the control module operates in Open Loop, ignoring the HO2S voltage signal. Once the HO2S reaches operating temperature and Closed Loop is achieved, the HO2S generates a voltage within a range of 0-1,000 mV that fluctuates above and below bias voltage. High HO2S voltage indicates a rich exhaust stream. Low HO2S voltage indicates a lean exhaust stream.

Conditions for Running the DTC

P0153

    • DTCs P0068, P0101, P0102, P0103, P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0120, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0128, P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, P0206, P0207, P0208, P0220, P0222, P0223, P0442, P0443, P0446, P0449, P0455, P0496, P1516, P2101, P2119, P2135, P2176 are not set.
    • The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor parameter is more than 60°C (158°F).
    • The Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor parameter is more than -40°C (-40°F)
    • The Ignition 1 Signal parameter is between 10-18 volts.
    • The Fuel Level Sensor parameter is more than 10 percent.
    • The Engine Run Time parameter is more than 160 seconds.
    • The Engine Speed parameter is between 1,200-3,000 RPM.
    • The Barometric (BARO) Pressure parameter is more than 70 kPa.
    • The Mass Airflow (MAF) Sensor parameter is between 20-55 g/s.
    • The Loop Status parameter is Closed.
    • The Throttle Position (TP) Indicated Angle parameter is more than 5 percent.
    • DTC P0153 runs once per drive cycle when the above conditions are met for 1 second.

P0154

    • DTCs P0068, P0101, P0102, P0103, P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0120, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0128, P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, P0206, P0207, P0208, P0220, P0222, P0223, P0442, P0443, P0446, P0449, P0455, P0496, P1516, P2101, P2119, P2135, P2176 are not set.
    • The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor parameter is more than 70°C (158°F).
    • The fuel alcohol content is less than 87 percent.
    • The Ignition 1 Signal parameter is between 10-18 volts.
    • The engine run time is more than 300 seconds.
    • DTC P0154 runs continuously when the above conditions are met.

P0160

    • DTCs P0068, P0101, P0102, P0103, P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0120, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0128, P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, P0206, P0207, P0208, P0220, P0222, P0223, P0442, P0443, P0446, P0449, P0455, P0496, P1516, P2101, P2119, P2135, P2176 are not set.
    • The fuel alcohol content is less than 87 percent.
    • The Ignition 1 Signal parameter is between 10-18 volts.
    • The Engine Run Time parameter is more than 200 seconds.
    • The Loop Status parameter is closed.
    • DTC P0160 runs once per drive cycle when the above conditions are met.

P1153

    • DTCs P0068, P0101, P0102, P0103, P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0120, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0128, P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, P0206, P0207, P0208, P0220, P0222, P0223, P0442, P0443, P0446, P0449, P0455, P0496, P1516, P2101, P2119, P2135, P2176 are not set.
    • The ECT Sensor parameter is more than 60°C (158°F).
    • The Engine Speed parameter is between 1,200-3,000 RPM.
    • The Ignition 1 Signal parameter is between 10-18 volts.
    • The Engine Run Time parameter is more than 160 seconds.
    • The Loop Status parameter is Closed.
    • The TP Indicated Angle parameter is more than 5 percent.
    • The Fuel Level Sensor parameter is more than 10  percent.
    • The Barometric (BARO) Pressure parameter is more than 70 kPa.
    • The MAF Sensor parameter is between 20-55 g/s.
    • DTC P1153 runs once per drive cycle when the above conditions are met for 2 seconds.

P2A04

    • DTCs P0030, P0036, P0053, P0054, P0068, P0101, P0102, P0103, P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0120, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0128, P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0135, P0137, P0138, P0140, P0141, P0171, P0172, P0174, P0175, P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, P0206, P0207, P0208, P0220, P0222, P0223, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306, P0307, P0308, P0442, P0443, P0446, P0449, P0455, P0496, P1133, P1516, P2101, P2119, P2135, P2176, P2A00 are not set.
    • The Engine Run Time parameter is more than 5 minutes.
    • The ignition 1 Signal parameter is between 10-18 volts.
    • The MAF sensor parameter is between 3-50 g/s.
    • The Engine Speed parameter is between 500-5,000 RPM.
    • The Vehicle Speed parameter is between 24-132 km/h (15-82 mph).
    • The Fuel Level Sensor parameter is more than 10 percent.
    • The Short Term FT parameter is between -4 and +4 percent.
    • DTC P2A04 runs once per drive cycle when the above conditions are met for 1 second.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0153

    • The control module detects that the sensor rich-to-lean or lean-to-rich average response time is more than a calibrated value.
    • DTC P0133 sets within 64 seconds when the above condition is met.

P0154

    • The control module detects that the sensor parameter is between 350-550 mV for 100 seconds.
    • The Throttle Position (TP) Indicated Angle parameter changes more than 5 percent, 1 time.
    • DTC P0154 sets within 100 seconds when the above conditions are met.

P0160

    • The control module detects that the sensor parameter is between 410-490 mV.
    • The TP Indicated Angle parameter changes more than 5 percent 6 times.
    • DTC P0160 sets within 100 seconds when the above conditions are met.

P1153

    • The control module detects that the sensor rich-to-lean counts, or the lean-to-rich counts are less than a calibrated value.
    • DTC P1153 sets within 60 seconds when the above condition is met.

P2A04

    • The control module detects that the sensor did not transition below 200 mV and above 730 mV during the passive test.
    • One of the following tests fail:

Lean Intrusive Test

       - The control module detects that the sensor is more than 200 mV for 12 seconds.
       - The sensor is less than 200 mV.

Rich Intrusive Test

       - The control module detects that the sensor is less than 730 mV for 12 seconds.
       - The sensor is more than 730 mV.
    • DTC P2A04 sets within 10 minutes when the above conditions are met.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTC P0153, P0154, P0160, P2A03, or P2A04 are Type B DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTC P0153, P0154, P0160, P2A03, or P2A04 are Type B DTCs.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

    •  Engine Control Module Connector End Views
    •  Engine Controls Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs
    •  Heated Oxygen Sensor Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Scan Tool Data List

Circuit/System Verification

    • If any HO2S heater DTCs are set, perform those diagnostics first.
    • Allow the engine to reach operating temperature.
    •  Engine running, observe the affected HO2S parameter with a scan tool.
       - The pre-catalyst oxygen sensors value should vary from below 200 mV to above 800 mV and respond to fueling changes.
       - The post-catalyst oxygen sensors value should change more than 200 mV when the throttle is quickly cycled 3 times from closed to wide open and back to closed after running the engine at 1,500 RPM for 30 seconds.
    • The affected HO2S may be damaged due to contamination. Prior to replacing the affected HO2S, inspect for the following sources of contamination:

Notice: Refer to Silicon Contamination of Heated Oxygen Sensors Notice in the Preface section.

       - A silicon contaminated HO2S
       - Fuel contamination--Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .
       - Engine oil consumption--Refer to Oil Consumption Diagnosis .
       - Engine coolant consumption--Refer to Loss of Coolant .

Circuit/System Testing

    Important: All modules must be powered down or misdiagnosis may result.

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the scan tool and wait 60 seconds to ensure all modules are powered down.
  2. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate HO2S.
  3. Ignition OFF, measure for less than 5 ohms resistance between the appropriate HO2S low signal circuit terminal A and ground.
  4. If more than the specified range, test the appropriate HO2S low signal circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  5. Ignition ON, verify the appropriate scan tool HO2S parameter is approximately 450 mV.
  6. If more than the specified value, test the appropriate HO2S high signal circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
    If less than the specified value, test the appropriate HO2S high signal circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  7. Ignition ON, install a 3A fused jumper wire at the HO2S high signal circuit terminal B. Toggle the jumper wire between the HO2S low signal circuit terminal A and battery voltage. Verify the appropriate scan tool HO2S parameter toggles between 0 mV and approximately 1,000 mV.
  8. If the appropriate scan tool HO2S parameter does not toggle correctly, test the HO2S high signal circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuits test normal, replace the ECM.
  9. If all circuits test normal, replace the appropriate HO2S.

Repair Instructions

Notice: Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor Resistance Learn Reset Notice in the Preface section.

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 2 Sensor 1
    •  Heated Oxygen Sensor Replacement - Bank 2 Sensor 2
    •  Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming