P0031

DTC P0031 Oxygen Sensor Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 1 Sensor 1)
DTC P0032 Oxygen Sensor Heater Control Circuit High (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

DESCRIPTION

DTC Detection Condition:

The A/F sensor generates a voltage* that corresponds to the actual air-fuel ratio. This sensor voltage is used to provide the ECM with feedback so that it can control the air-fuel ratio. The ECM determines the deviation from the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio level, and regulates the fuel injection time. If the A/F sensor malfunctions, the ECM is unable to control the air-fuel ratio accurately.

The A/F sensor is the planar type and is integrated with the heater, which heats the solid electrolyte (zirconia element). This heater is controlled by the ECM. When the intake air volume is low (the exhaust gas temperature is low), a current flows into the heater to heat the sensor, in order to facilitate accurate oxygen concentration detection. In addition, the sensor and heater portions are narrower than the conventional type. The heat generated by the heater is conducted to the solid electrolyte through the alumina, therefore the sensor activation is accelerated.

In order to obtain a high purification rate of the carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) components in the exhaust gas, a TWC is used. For the most efficient use of the TWC, the air-fuel ratio must be precisely controlled so that it is always close to the stoichiometric level.

*: Value changes inside the ECM. Since the A/F sensor is the current output element, a current is converted to a voltage inside the ECM. Any measurements taken at the A/F sensor or ECM connectors will show a constant voltage.

HINT:
- Although the DTC titles say oxygen sensor, these DTCs relate to the Air-Fuel Ratio (A/F) sensor.
- Sensor 1 refers to the sensor mounted in front of the Three-Way Catalytic Converter (TWC) and located near the engine assembly.
- When any of these DTCs are set, the ECM enters fail-safe mode. The ECM turns off the A/F sensor heater in fail-safe mode. Fail-safe mode continues until the ignition switch is turned OFF.
- The ECM provides a pulse width modulated control circuit to adjust the current through the heater. The A/F sensor heater circuit uses a relay on the +B side of the circuit.

MONITOR DESCRIPTION

Monitor Strategy:

Typical Enabling Conditions:

Typical Malfunction Thresholds:

Component Operating Range:

The ECM uses information from the Air-Fuel Ratio (A/F) sensor to regulate the air-fuel ratio and keep it close to the stoichiometric level. This maximizes the ability of the Three-Way Catalytic Converter (TWC) to purify the exhaust gases.

The A/F sensor detects oxygen levels in the exhaust gas and transmits the information to the ECM. The inner surface of the sensor element is exposed to the outside air. The outer surface of the sensor element is exposed to the exhaust gas. The sensor element is made of platinum coated zirconia and includes an integrated heating element.

The zirconia element generates a small voltage when there is a large difference in the oxygen concentrations between the exhaust gas and outside air. The platinum coating amplifies this voltage generation.

The A/F sensor is more efficient when heated. When the exhaust gas temperature is low, the sensor cannot generate useful voltage signals without supplementary heating. The ECM regulates the supplementary heating using a duty-cycle approach to adjust the average current in the sensor heater element. If the heater current is outside the normal range, the signal transmitted by the A/F sensor will be inaccurate, as a result, the ECM will be unable to regulate air-fuel ratio properly.

When the current in the A/F sensor heater is outside the normal operating range, the ECM interprets this as a malfunction in the sensor heater and sets a DTC.

Example:
The ECM sets DTC P0032 when the current in the A/F sensor heater is more than 10 A. Conversely, when the heater current is less than 0.8 A, DTC P0031 is set.

MONITOR RESULT




The monitor result (mode 6) allows the OBD scan tool to display the monitor status, test value and test limit.

A problem in this component can be found by comparing the test value and test limit. This procedure is described in "CHECKING MONITOR STATUS".
- TID (Test Identification) is assigned to each emission-related component.
- TLT (Test Limit Type):
If TLT is 0, the component is malfunctioning when the test value is higher than the test limit.
If TLT is 1, the component is malfunctioning when the test value is lower than the test limit.
- CID (Component Identification) is assigned to each test value.
- Unit Conversion is used to calculate the test value indicated on generic OBD scan tools.

Wiring Diagram:

Step 1-2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

INSPECTION PROCEDURE

HINT: Read freeze frame data using the intelligent tester. Freeze frame data records the engine conditions when a malfunction is detected. When troubleshooting, freeze frame data can help determine if the vehicle was running or stopped, if the engine was warmed up or not, if the air-fuel ratio was lean or rich, and other data from the time the malfunction occurred.