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DTC P0159: Heated Oxygen Sensor Circuit Slow Response (bank 2, sensor 2)
 
 
 
 
CIRCUIT OPERATION
  • A voltage corresponding to the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas is sent to the ECM terminal O2RL from the output terminal of the left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear).
  • Terminal of the left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear) is grounded with ECM terminal ORLE.
  • The ECM applies an offset voltage of 0.5 volt to ground terminal of the left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear).
 
 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
  • The output signal of the heated left bank linear air-fuel ratio sensor is compensated by the output signal of the left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear).
  • The ECM checks for the left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear) output line.
 
 
DESCRIPTIONS OF MONITOR METHODS
  • Left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear) output voltage does not reach 0.2 volt after fuel cut operation.
 
 
MONITOR EXECUTION
  • Continuous
 
 
MONITOR EXECUTION CONDITIONS (Other monitor and Sensor)
Other Monitor (There is no temporary DTC set in memory for the item monitored below)
  • Left bank linear air-fuel ratio sensor monitor
  • Left bank linear air-fuel ratio sensor heater monitor
  • Left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear) heater monitor
  • Left bank linear air-fuel ratio sensor inactive monitor
  • Left bank heated oxygen sensor offset voltage monitor
  • Air/fuel ratio feedback monitor
Sensor (The sensor below is determined to be normal)
  • Mass airflow sensor
  • Engine coolant temperature sensor
  • Intake air temperature sensor
  • Barometric pressure sensor
  • Throttle position sensor
 
 
DTC SET CONDITION
Logic Flow Chart
 
 
Check Conditions
  • Engine coolant temperature is higher than 76°C (169°F).
  • The left bank linear air-fuel ratio sensor is active.
  • The cumulative mass airflow sensor output is higher than 1,638 g.
  • Fuel is being shut off.
  • The left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear) output voltage is higher than 0.5 volt when fuel cut is started.
  • It has been taking more than 180 seconds since the drive signal of the left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear) heater was turned on.
  • Barometric pressure is higher than 76 kPa (22.4 in.Hg).
  • The cumulative mass airflow sensor output during open loop operation, and subtracted during fuel cut or closed loop operation is less than 200 g.
  • The cumulative mass airflow sensor output during fuel cut before left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear) drops below 0.5 volt is more than 16 g.
Judgment Criterion
  • The left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear) output voltage does not reach 0.2 volt for 6.0 seconds from fuel cut start.
Check Conditions
  • Engine coolant temperature is higher than 76°C (169°F).
  • The left bank linear air-fuel ratio sensor is active.
  • The cumulative mass airflow sensor output is higher than 1,638 g.
  • Fuel is being shut off.
  • The left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear) output voltage is higher than 0.5 volt when fuel cut is started.
  • It has been taking more than 180 seconds since the drive signal of the left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear) heater was turned on.
  • Barometric pressure is higher than 76 kPa (22.4 in.Hg).
  • The cumulative mass airflow sensor output during open loop operation, and subtracted during fuel cut or closed loop operation is less than 200 g.
  • The cumulative mass airflow sensor output during fuel cut before left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear) drops below 0.5 volt is more than 2.0 g.
  • The ECM monitors for this condition for 3 cycles of 0.3 second each during drive cycles.
Judgment Criteria
  • The left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear) output voltage does not reach 0.2 volt for 0.3 second from 0.4 volt while fuel is being shut off.
  • The ECM monitors for this condition once during the drive cycle.
 
 
FAIL-SAFE AND BACKUP FUNCTION
  • None
 
 
OBD-II DRIVE CYCLE PATTERN
  • Refer to Diagnostic Function - OBD-II Drive Cycle - Pattern 11 .
 
 
TROUBLESHOOTING HINTS (The most likely causes for this code to be set are:)
  • Left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear) deteriorated.

 
 
DIAGNOSIS
Required Special Tools:
  • MB992744: Vehicle Communication Interface-Lite (V.C.I.-Lite)
  • MB992745: V.C.I.-Lite Main Harness A
  • MB992747: V.C.I.-Lite USB Cable Short
  • MB992748: V.C.I.-Lite USB Cable Long
  • MB991958: Scan Tool (M.U.T.-III Sub Assembly)
    • MB991824: Vehicles Communication Interface (V.C.I.)
    • MB991827: M.U.T.-III USB Cable
    • MB991910: M.U.T.-III Main Harness A (Vehicles with CAN communication system)
STEP 1. Using scan tool (M.U.T.-III), check data list item AF: Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 2, Sensor 2 (left rear).
cautionTo prevent damage to scan tool (M.U.T.-III), always turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK" (OFF) position before connecting or disconnecting scan tool (M.U.T.-III).
(1) Connect scan tool (M.U.T.-III). Refer to HOW TO CONNECT THE SCAN TOOL (M.U.T.-III) .
(2) Start the engine and run at idle.
(3) Set scan tool (M.U.T.-III) to the data reading mode for item AF, Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 2, Sensor 2 (left rear).
(4) Warm up the engine.
  • After increasing the output voltage 0.5 volt or more by the engine revving, finish it. Then confirm that the output voltage reduces to 0.2 volt or less within 6 seconds.
(5) Turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK" (OFF) position.
Is the sensor operating properly?
It can be assumed that this malfunction is intermittent. Refer to GROUP 00, How to Use Troubleshooting/Inspection Service Points - How to Cope with Intermittent Malfunctions .
Replace the left bank heated oxygen sensor (rear). Then go to Step 2.
 
STEP 2. Test the OBD-II drive cycle.
(1) Carry out a test drive with the drive cycle pattern. Refer to Diagnostic Function - OBD-II Drive Cycle - Pattern 11 .
(2) Check the diagnostic trouble code (DTC).
Is DTC P0159 set?
Refer to DTC P0157 - Heated Oxygen Sensor (rear) Circuit Low Voltage (bank 2, sensor 2) , DTC P0158 - Heated Oxygen Sensor (rear) Circuit High Voltage (bank 2, sensor 2) .
The inspection is complete.