Troubleshooting

DTC P0135 A/F Sensor Heater Circuit (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION

DTC Detecting Condition:

To obtain a high purification rate for the CO, HC and NOx components of the exhaust gas, a three-way catalytic converter is used, but for the most efficient use of the three-way catalytic converter, the air-fuel ratio must be precisely controlled so that it is always close to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.

The A/F sensor has the characteristic that provides output voltage* approximately proportional to the existing air-fuel ratio. The A/F sensor output voltage* is used to provide feedback for the ECM to control the air-fuel ratio.

By the A/F sensor output, the ECM can determine the deviation amount from the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio and control the proper injection time immediately. If the A/F sensor is malfunctioning, ECM is unable to perform accurate air-fuel ratio control.

The A/F sensor is equipped with a heater which heats the zirconia element. The heater is controlled by the ECM. When the intake air volume is low (the temp. of the exhaust gas is low), current flows to the heater to heat the sensor for accurate oxygen concentration detection.

*: The voltage value changes at the inside of the ECM only.

MONITOR DESCRIPTION

Monitor Strategy:

Typical Enabling Conditions:

Typical Malfunction Thresholds:

Monitor Result (Mode 06):

The ECM uses the Air-Fuel Ratio sensor (A/F sensor) information to regulate the air-fuel ratio close to the stoichiometric ratio. This maximizes the catalytic converter's ability to purify exhaust gases. The sensor detects oxygen levels in the exhaust gas and sends this signal to the ECM.

The inner surface of the sensor element is exposed to outside air. The outer surface of the sensor element is exposed to 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 of the exhaust and the outside air. The platinum coating amplifies the voltage generation. When heated, the sensor becomes very efficient. If the temperature of the exhaust is low, the sensor will not generate useful voltage signals without supplemental heating. The ECM regulates the supplemental heating using a duty-cycle approach to regulate the average current in the heater element. If the heater current is out of the normal range, the sensor's output signals will be inaccurate and the ECM cannot regulate the air-fuel ratio properly.

When the heater current is out of the normal operating range, the ECM interprets this as a malfunction and sets a DTC.

Wiring Diagram:

Step 1 - 2:

Step 3:

INSPECTION PROCEDURE

HINT: Read freeze frame data using OBD II scan tool or hand-held tester. Because freeze frame records the engine conditions when the malfunction is detected. When troubleshooting, it is useful for determining whether the vehicle was running or stopped, the engine was warmed up or not, the air-fuel ratio was lean or rich, etc. at the time of the malfunction.