Which Codes Will This Page Cover?
- P0162 O2 Sensor Circuit – Bank 2 Sensor 3
- P0163 O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage
- P0164 O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage
- P0165 O2 Sensor Circuit Slow Response
- P0166 O2 Sensor Circuit no Activity Detected
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What Is the P0162 Code?
Symptoms
Causes
Seriousness
Can I Still Drive?
Diagnose
Difficulty of Inspecting
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The P0162 code refers to a malfunction that is detected with the oxygen Sensor 3 located on the Bank 2 side of the engine. Bank 2 refers to the side of the motor opposite of cylinder number one, and Sensor 3 refers to the third sensor downstream from the engine. This sensor usually monitors the performance of the catalytic converter.
The P0162 code sets when the Power Control Module (PCM) detects a fault in the circuit for the oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor measures the oxygen content that is currently present in the exhaust and then it emits a voltage reading to the PCM so that it can adjust the fuel injector pulse so that the optimal air-to-fuel ratio is maintained in the engine. The PCM relies on the voltage measurements, which are given from 0.1 to 0.9 volts to continuously maintain this optimal ratio.
More About The P0162 And Its Related Codes
What makes the P0162 a significant code is that the relationship oxygen sensors play with the fuel levels that your engine receives. Defective O2 sensors can cause the PCM to add or take away fuel based on the faulty readings and this causes a false lean or rich condition. Lean conditions are present when there is more air in the exhaust than fuel, and rich conditions mean the opposite, or more fuel than air in the exhaust. If the third sensor downstream, or behind the catalytic converter is faulty, a P0162 code will be set. The reference voltage for the circuit is about half of a volt, so if the PCM notices an abnormally high reading of about .9 volts, it’ll trigger the P0164 code. If it detects a slow response or no activity at all, the PCM will set a P0165 or P0166 code, respectfully.
What Are the Symptoms of a P0162 Code?
The very first symptom you may notice with a P0162 or its related codes is that the Check Engine Light will illuminate on your vehicle’s dashboard. There will usually not be any immediate physical symptoms to your car because time is needed for you to notice any changes to how your engine is performing. However, after some time, you may notice that rich running conditions are present, which can be accompanied by black smoke emitting from your exhaust’s tailpipe. You will also notice a decrease in the fuel economy you are getting with your vehicle and this is because your car is burning more fuel than it should be. With lean running conditions, as with a P0163 code, you may notice that there is a significant lag in your car’s ability to accelerate. You may even experience a rough idle or stalling out when you come to a complete stop. This hesitation occurs because not enough fuel is being injected into the engine’s combustion chamber and this is accompanied by an apparent loss in power.
What Are Some Causes of a P0162 Code?
The usual cause of a P0162 code is that the PCM doesn’t detect any activity on the oxygen sensor circuit for Bank 2 and Sensor 3 in question. A damaged, burnt, shorted, or even disconnected connector or wiring leading to the sensor can be the cause of a P0162 or its related codes. This also, in turn, means that open circuits will also be a potential cause of the code. However, oftentimes you may just be dealing with defective oxygen sensors, or sensors that have been heavily contaminated by materials like oil or engine coolant. This isn’t to say that the P0162 code may not sometimes be attributed to PCM failure, although this is more of a rare occurrence.
How Serious Is the P0162 Code?
While there may not be immediate concerns when the P0162 code is set, this isn’t to say that it isn’t a significant issue. You may not notice any driveability issues when the code appears, but it can cause you to fail emissions tests. This will prevent you from legally being able to drive your vehicle on the roads and can lead to police citations. Nevertheless, leaving this code unattended for extended periods can certainly lead to more severe problems that will require more repairs and more money. This is why we recommend getting your vehicle checked out at a service center as soon as you are confronted with this code.
Can I Still Drive with a P0162 Code?
You may not notice any immediate changes to how your vehicle performs when the P0162 code is set, but this doesn’t mean that issues won’t arise from the continued use of your vehicle. This is because your vehicle may be forced to operate in a rich condition where too much fuel is burning through your engine’s internals. This means that engine parts like pistons and valves are put under unnecessary pressure and can succumb to failure. This, of course, leads to much costlier repairs that can be avoided by having a qualified technician examine your vehicle in time.
How Easy Is It to Diagnose a P0162 Code?
As with most oxygen sensor codes, a technician will approach the diagnosis of a P0162 code by first performing a visual inspection of the oxygen sensor in question. They will also check out the wiring harness, the connectors, as well as the wiring itself to make sure that there isn’t any damage or corrosion present. They will check the terminals for signs of water intrusion or corrosion which can cause faulty voltage readings by Sensor 3. They will proceed to check the resistance of the oxygen sensor itself to make sure it’s to factory specifications. After this, they will measure the reference voltage from the PCM to make sure it’s operating efficiently. If all of these checks turn out fine, it’s most likely a faulty sensor.
How Difficult Is It to Inspect a P0162 Code?
Since the process of inspecting a P0162 and its related codes takes multiple steps, we recommend that you designate this task to a qualified technician with experience resolving these issues. A technician will check to make sure the wiring harnesses and connectors are all in working order before they address the sensor. However, with these sets of codes, most of the time the issue lies with the sensor itself so they will usually just replace Sensor 3. They may make repairs to the harness or the sensor if they deem that it can be repaired. With that said, they will be using tools like voltage meters and advanced scanners to perform the inspection process and that is why we don’t recommend you perform this process at home.
Need Additional Help with Your P0162 Code?
While the P0162 code and its related codes can be significant and cause damage to your engine, that doesn’t have to be the case. By taking your vehicle to a qualified technician you can avoid much more costly repairs and keep your vehicle operating to its fullest potential.
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