Why does my Ford Explorer have a heated O2 sensor?

Ford Explorer P0161: Heated O2 Sensor – Performance | Bank 2 Sensor 2 January 13, 2019 by Jason P0161 is a very common OBDII code that occurs in the Ford Explorer. It is typically caused by a failure in one of the elements that heat the oxygen sensors, specifically bank 2 sensor 2.

Can a heater with an oxygen sensor fail?

Oxygen sensor heaters do fail. But there are other possible causes for a heater DTC. Before screwing in a new sensor, this simple test will determine whether everything else is in order. As vehicles grow older, there comes a point when the oxygen or air/fuel ratio sensor’s heater circuit will probably fail.

Why is my oxygen sensor blowing a code?

The code is triggered when the sensor is taking too long to warm up. Water getting inside the heated oxygen sensor connector can caused the heated oxygen sensor fuse to blow. Before replacing the sensor, check for the condition of the heated oxygen sensor fuse and connectors.

What causes damage to the O2 sensor on a Ford F150?

Wiring Harness Damage – The wiring that goes to the front and rear oxygen sensors is very susceptible to damage. This is due to the fact that O2 sensors are under the chassis where they are subject to punishment from road debris, and they are subjected to a lot of exhaust heat.

Is the oxygen sensor on my Ford Explorer bad?

Your Explorer can exhibit symptoms when the Oxygen sensor has gone bad. Or, it may exhibit none at all. Often enough, the only sign of the problem at all is the service engine soon light being on. The good news is, if you end up discovering that the oxygen sensor is bad, they really aren’t that expensive to replace.

What does the O 2 sensor heater driver do?

The computer is looking for 12V on the sensor’s negative control wire while the computer’s O 2 sensor heater circuit driver (the power transistor in the computer) is open. With the wire being grounded, the O 2 sensor heater circuit came on as soon as the ignition switch was turned on.

What is the diagnostic code for O2 sensor heater?

Cost of diagnosing the P0135 code. P0135 is a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) for “O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 1)”. This can happen for multiple reasons and a mechanic needs to diagnose the specific cause for this code to be triggered in your situation.

How can I check if my O2 sensor is working?

One popular test is to check the amperage of the O 2 sensor’s heater circuit. This test confirms that the O 2 sensor’s heater itself is working and would lead you to believe that the vehicle is fixed. But what caused the vehicle to return two days later with the same code?

What does the O2 sensor heater code p0135 mean?

What the P0135 code means. P0135 is the OBD-II generic code indicating the engine control module (ECM) has tested the O2 sensor heater circuit and has detected a problem with the bank 1 sensor 1 O2 sensor heater circuit.

Is there test to check O2 sensor heater?

And in that respect, they’re fundamentally the same. One popular test is to check the amperage of the O 2 sensor’s heater circuit. This test confirms that the O 2 sensor’s heater itself is working and would lead you to believe that the vehicle is fixed.

When to shut off O2 sensor heater circuit?

Some computer systems will shut the O 2 heater circuit off until the codes are cleared. Now, with the ignition switch off, plug the test harness with the light into the vehicle’s O 2 sensor harness connection. The light should remain off until the engine is started. Once the engine is running, the light should come on steady or blink.

What does p0161 stand for in Ford Explorer?

P0161 is a very common OBDII code that occurs in the Ford Explorer. It is typically caused by a failure in one of the elements that heat the oxygen sensors, specifically bank 2 sensor 2. Replacing the Oxygen sensor will fix the problem a majority of the time. Some of the other causes of P0161 are listed below.

What’s the trouble code for a heated oxygen sensor?

P0141 Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S11) Heater Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2. P0155 Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S11) Heater Circuit Bank 2 Sensor 1. P0161 Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S11) Heater Circuit Bank 2 Sensor 2. Really bad gas mileage. Won’t pass state mandated emission testing.

What does the p0141 Ford O2 heater do?

P0141 Ford Description. Oxygen Sensors (O2S) or Heated Oxygen Sensors (HO2S) need to reach a minimum operating temperature of 750 degrees F to produce an accurate voltage signal. The faster the heated oxygen sensor reaches that temperature the faster the sensor will start sending an accurate signal to the Engine Control Module (ECM).

What causes p0161 code on Ford Explorer?

P0161 Causes: Ford Explorer. Here are the most common issues that cause the P0161 code in the Ford Explorer. They are presented in order (somewhat) of most to least likely to cause the problem. P0161 is most often fixed with a new downstream (after catalytic converter) O2 sensor. Bad Oxygen Sensor – The oxygen sensor itself is one

What’s the trouble code for a Ford engine?

Trouble Code. Fault Location. Probable Cause. P0171. Fuel trim (FT) system too lean, bank 1. Intake/exhaust leak, AIR system, MAFNAF sensor, fuel pressure/pump, injector (s), HO2S. P0300. Random Cylinder Misfire (Cylinder Not Specified) Spark plug (s), HT lead (s), injector (s), ignition coil (s), low compression, wiring.

What is the OBD2 code for a Ford?

OBDII Ford Code Definitions. Be sure to double check the codes. Anything P1000 to P1999 or P3000 to P3400 will be Manufacturer specific and may not match the ones listed here. Check specific manufacturer pages on the site, as some of them, we list the OBD2 codes on those pages for those specific vehicles.

What should I do if my Ford Explorer heater is not working?

Ford’s answer is the replace the entire heater box. That’ll mean removing the dash, discharging the A/C and replacing the entire module. Figure about $1,500 for that. Or, you can buy a blend door replacement kit from Dorman. The dorman part is 902-202. It fits the following applications:

What kind of air conditioning does Ford Explorer have?

2001 Ford Explorer Manual Air Conditioning; w/Floor Console Blower 2001 Mercury Mountaineer Manual Air Conditioning; w/Floor Console Blower 2000 Mercury Mountaineer Manual Air Conditioning; w/Floor Console Blower 1999 Mercury Mountaineer Manual Air Conditioning; w/Floor Console Blower

Why does my Ford Explorer have a heated O2 sensor?