Circuit 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 of the exhaust stream. When the vehicle is first started, the powertrain control module (PCM) operates in an Open Loop mode, ignoring the HO2S signal voltage when calculating the air-to-fuel ratio. The PCM supplies the HO2S with a reference, or bias, voltage of about 450 mV. The HO2S generates a voltage within a range of 0-1,000 mV that fluctuates above and below bias voltage once the sensor reaches operating temperature. A high HO2S voltage output indicates a rich fuel mixture. A low HO2S voltage output indicates a lean mixture. Heating elements inside the HO2S minimize the time required for the sensors to reach operating temperature, and to provide an accurate voltage signal.

This diagnostic runs once per ignition cycle. This diagnostic has two phases for running the DTC, a passive test and an intrusive test. If the HO2S 2 voltage transitions below 286 mV and above 703 mV during the passive test, the DTC will pass for this ignition cycle. If the DTC does not pass during the passive test and too much time has elapsed since start-up, the intrusive test will begin. The control module will adjust the air-to-fuel ratio during the intrusive test. As the air-to-fuel ratio is adjusted to rich and lean, the control module waits for a predicted response from the HO2S 2. If the HO2S 2 voltage transitions below 286 mV and above 703 mV, the diagnostic will pass for this ignition cycle. If the control module does not receive the expected response from the HO2S 2, DTC P0136 will set.

Each HO2S 1 has the following circuits:

• An HO2S 2 high signal circuit
• An HO2S 2 low signal circuit
• An HO2S 2 heater ignition voltage circuit
• An HO2S 2 heater low control circuit
• An HO2S low reference circuit