P0038
2AZ-FE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM: SFI SYSTEM: P0037,P0038,P0141: Oxygen Sensor Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
DTC P0037 - Oxygen Sensor Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
DTC P0038 - Oxygen Sensor Heater Control Circuit High (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
DTC P0141 - Oxygen Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
DESCRIPTION
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 (Three-Way Catalytic Converter) 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 air-fuel level. For the purpose of helping the ECM to deliver accurate air-fuel ratio control, a Heated Oxygen (HO2) sensor is used.
The HO2 sensor is located behind the TWC, and detects the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas. Since the sensor is integrated with the heater that heats the sensing portion, it is possible to detect the oxygen concentration even when the intake air volume is low (the exhaust gas temperature is low).
When the air-fuel ratio becomes lean, the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas is rich. The HO2 sensor informs the ECM that the post-TWC air-fuel ratio is lean (low voltage, i.e. less than 0.45 V).
Conversely, when the air-fuel ratio is richer than the stoichiometric air-fuel level, the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas becomes lean. The HO2 sensor informs the ECM that the post-TWC air-fuel ratio is rich (high voltage, i.e. more than 0.45 V). The HO2 sensor has the property of changing its output voltage drastically when the air-fuel ratio is close to the stoichiometric level.
The ECM uses the supplementary information from the HO2 sensor to determine whether the air-fuel ratio after the TWC is rich or lean, and adjusts the fuel injection time accordingly. Thus, if the HO2 sensor is working improperly due to internal malfunctions, the ECM is unable to compensate for deviations in the primary air-fuel ratio control.
HINT:
- Sensor 2 refers to the sensor mounted behind the Three-Way Catalytic Converter (TWC) and located far from the engine assembly.
- When any of these DTCs are set, the ECM enters fail-safe mode. The ECM turns off the Heated Oxygen (HO2) sensor heater in fail-safe mode. Fail-safe mode continues until the ignition switch is turned to OFF.
- The ECM provides a pulse width modulated control circuit to adjust the current through the heater. The HO2 sensor heater circuit uses a relay on the +B side of the circuit.
HINT:
- Sensor 1 refers to the sensor closest to the engine assembly.
- Sensor 2 refers to the sensor farthest away from the engine assembly.
MONITOR DESCRIPTION
The sensing portion of the Heated Oxygen (HO2) sensor has a zirconia element which is used to detect the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas. If the zirconia element is at the appropriate temperature, and the difference between the oxygen concentrations surrounding the inside and outside surfaces of the sensor is large, the zirconia element generates voltage signals. In order to increase the oxygen concentration detecting capacity of the zirconia element, the ECM supplements the heat from the exhaust with heat from a heating element inside the sensor.
Heated oxygen sensor heater range check (P0037 and P0038):
The ECM monitors the current applied to the HO2 sensor heater to check the heater for malfunctions. If the current is below the threshold value, the ECM will determine that there is an open circuit in the heater. If the current is above the threshold value, the ECM will determine that there is a short circuit in the heater.
Example:
The ECM sets DTC P0038 when the current in the HO2 sensor heater is more than 2 A. Conversely, when the heater current is less than 0.3 A, DTC P0037 is set.
Heated oxygen sensor heater performance (P0141):
- After the accumulated heater ON time exceeds 100 seconds, the ECM calculates the heater resistance using the battery voltage and the current applied to the heater. If the resistance is above the threshold value, the ECM will determine that there is a malfunction in the HO2 sensor heater and set DTC P0141.
MONITOR STRATEGY
TYPICAL ENABLING CONDITIONS
All:
P0037:
P0038 (Case 1):
P0038 (Case 2):
P0141:
TYPICAL MALFUNCTION THRESHOLDS
P0037:
P0038:
P0141 (Heater performance monitor check):
COMPONENT OPERATING RANGE
MONITOR RESULT
- Refer to CHECKING MONITOR STATUS Mode 6 Data.
WIRING DIAGRAM
INSPECTION PROCEDURE
HINT: Read freeze frame data using the Techstream. Freeze frame data records the engine condition when malfunctions are detected. When troubleshooting, freeze frame data can help determine if the vehicle was moving or stationary, 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.
PROCEDURE
1. INSPECT HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR (HEATER RESISTANCE)
(a) Disconnect the heated oxygen sensor connector.
(b) Measure the resistance according to the value(s) in the table below.
Standard resistance:
(c) Reconnect the heated oxygen sensor connector.
NG -- REPLACE HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR
OK -- Continue to next step.
2. CHECK TERMINAL VOLTAGE (POWER SOURCE)
(a) Disconnect the heated oxygen sensor connector.
(b) Turn the ignition switch to ON.
(c) Measure the resistance according to the value(s) in the table below.
Standard voltage:
(d) Reconnect the heated oxygen sensor connector.
NG -- INSPECT FUSE (EFI NO. 2)
OK -- Continue to next step.
3. CHECK HARNESS AND CONNECTOR (HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR - ECM)
(a) Disconnect the heated oxygen sensor connector.
(b) Disconnect the ECM connector.
(c) Measure the resistance according to the value(s) in the table below.
Standard resistance (Check for open):
Standard resistance (Check for short):
(d) Reconnect the heated oxygen sensor connector.
(e) Reconnect the ECM connector.
NG -- REPAIR OR REPLACE HARNESS OR CONNECTOR
OK -- Continue to next step.
4. CHECK WHETHER DTC OUTPUT RECURS (DTC P0037, P0038 OR P0141)
(a) Connect the Techstream to the DLC3.
(b) Turn the ignition switch to ON.
(c) Turn the Techstream ON.
(d) Clear DTCs DTC Check / Clear.
(e) Start the engine.
(f) Allow the engine to idle for 1 minute or more.
(g) Select the following menu items: Powertrain / Engine and ECT / Trouble Codes.
(h) Read DTCs.
Result
B -- REPLACE ECM
A -- CHECK FOR INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS
5. INSPECT FUSE (EFI NO. 2)
(a) Remove the EFI NO. 2 fuse from the engine room relay block.
(b) Measure the resistance according to the value(s) in the table below.
Standard resistance:
(c) Reinstall the EFI NO. 2 fuse.
NG -- CHECK FOR SHORT IN ALL HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS CONNECTED TO FUSE AND REPLACE FUSE
OK -- Continue to next step.
6. CHECK HARNESS AND CONNECTOR (HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR - INTEGRATION RELAY)
(a) Disconnect the heated oxygen sensor connector.
(b) Remove the integration relay (EFI MAIN relay) from the engine room relay block Removal.
(c) Measure the resistance according to the value(s) in the table below.
Standard resistance (Check for open):
Standard resistance (Check for short):
(d) Reconnect the heated oxygen sensor connector.
(e) Reinstall the integration relay.
NG -- REPAIR OR REPLACE HARNESS OR CONNECTOR
OK -- REPAIR OR REPLACE ECM POWER SOURCE CIRCUIT