For 1990-2009 cars

### 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 P1138: HO2S Circuit High Voltage During Decel Fuel Cut-Off (DFCO) Sensor 2

### Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit | Short to Ground | Open/High Resistance | Short to Voltage | Signal Performance
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
HO2S Signal | P0131, P0137 | P0134, P0140 | P0132, P0138, P1138 | P0133
Low Reference | -- | P0134, P0140 | -- | P0133

### Typical Scan Tool Data

#### HO2S 1 and 2

Circuit | Short to Ground | Open | Short to Voltage
--- | --- | --- | ---
Operating Conditions: Engine operating in Closed Loop Parameter Normal Range: Fluctuates above and below 350-500 mV
HO2S 1 and 2 Signal | 0 mV | 400-415 mV | 1000 mV
Low Reference | -- | 400-415 mV | 1000 mV

### Circuit Description

The heated oxygen sensors (HO2S) are used for fuel control and catalyst monitoring. Each HO2S compares the oxygen content of the surrounding air with the oxygen content of the exhaust stream. When the engine is started, the control module operates in an Open Loop mode, ignoring the HO2S signal voltage while calculating the air-to-fuel ratio. The control module supplies the HO2S with a reference, or bias voltage of about 450 mV. While the engine runs, the HO2S heats up and begins to generate a voltage within a range of 0-1,000 mV. This voltage will fluctuate above and below the bias voltage. Once sufficient HO2S voltage fluctuation is observed by the control module, Closed Loop is entered. The control module uses the HO2S voltage to determine the air-to-fuel ratio. An HO2S voltage that increases above bias voltage toward 1,000 mV indicates a rich fuel mixture. An HO2S voltage that decreases below bias voltage toward 0 mV indicates a lean fuel mixture.

The heating elements inside each HO2S heat the sensor to bring the sensor up to operating conditions faster. This allows the system to enter Closed Loop earlier and the control module to calculate the air-to-fuel ratio sooner.

The HO2S utilizes the following circuits:

• | A signal circuit

• | A low reference circuit

• | An ignition 1 voltage circuit

• | A heater control circuit

### Conditions for Running the DTC

• | The engine airflow is greater than 15 g/s.

• | The engine has been running for 30 seconds.

• | The engine is in decel fuel cut-off (DFCO) mode.

• | The DTC runs continuously when the above conditions are met for 2 seconds.

### Conditions for Setting the DTC

The engine control module (ECM) detects that the HO2S voltage is greater than 150 mV during DFCO mode.

### Action Taken when the DTC Sets

DTC P1138 is a Type B DTC.

### Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

DTC P1138 is a Type B DTC.

### Reference Information

#### Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

#### Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

#### Electrical Information Reference

• | Circuit Testing

• | Connector Repairs

• | Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

• | Wiring Repairs

#### DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

#### Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

### Circuit/System Verification

1. Engine running, observe the scan tool HO2S voltage parameter. The reading should fluctuate above and below 350-550 mV.
2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC to verify the DTC does not reset. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

### Circuit/System Testing

1. Ignition OFF, and the MAIN fuse removed, disconnect the harness connector at the HO2S.
2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5 ohms of resistance between the low reference circuit terminal 3 and ground.

⇒ | If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

3. Install the MAIN fuse. Engine running, verify the scan tool HO2S parameter is between 350-500 mV.

⇒ | If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

4. Verify none of the following conditions exist:

• | Rich fuel injectors--Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test with Special Tool .

• | Water intrusion in the HO2S harness connector

• | High fuel system pressure--Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .

• | Fuel that is contaminated--Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .

• | Fuel saturation of the evaporative emission (EVAP) canister

• | Exhaust leaks near the HO2S

• | Contaminated HO2S--Silicon

⇒ | If you find any of the above conditions, repair as necessary.

5. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the HO2S.

### Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

• | Heated Oxygen Sensor 2 Replacement

• | Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup, and programming