P0053 Heated Oxygen Sensor Heater (HO2S) Resistance Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 1

P0053 Heated Oxygen Sensor Heater (HO2S) Resistance Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 1

OBD-II DTC Datasheet

Oxygen sensor heater resistance (block 2, sensor 1)

What does this mean?

This Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) is a generic transmission code, which means it applies to all 1996 vehicles (Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Mazda, Pontiac, Isuzu, etc.). Although general in nature, the specific repair steps may differ depending on the brand / model.

When I find a stored code P0053, I know that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected a malfunction in the front (or pre-catalytic converter) oxygen (O2) sensor heater circuit. Bank 1 indicates that the malfunction concerns the engine group that contains cylinder number one. Sensor 1 means the problem is with the upstream sensor.

O2 sensors consist of a zirconia sensing element protected by a ventilated steel housing. The sensing element is attached to the wires in the O2 sensor wiring harness with platinum electrodes. The Controller Network (CAN) connects the PCM to the O2 sensor harness. The O2 sensor provides the PCM with the percentage of oxygen particles in the engine exhaust compared to the oxygen in the ambient air.

The heated O2 sensor uses battery voltage to preheat the sensor under cold start conditions. In addition to the O2 sensor signal circuits, there is also a circuit for heating the sensor. It is usually under battery voltage (12.6 V minimum) and may have a built-in fuse. When the PCM detects that the engine coolant temperature conditions are within the programmed limit, battery voltage is applied to the O2 sensor heater circuit until the PCM goes into closed loop mode. Voltage is usually supplied through the PCM, sometimes via relays and / or fuses, and is initiated when the ignition key is turned on under cold start conditions. Once the engine reaches normal operating temperature, the PCM is programmed to shut off battery voltage to the O2 heater circuit and takes action to do so.

If the PCM detects that the resistance level from the O2 sensor heater circuit exceeds the programmed limits, a P0053 code will be stored and a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will most likely illuminate. Some vehicles may require multiple ignition cycles (on failure) to illuminate the MIL. For this reason, you will need to use OBD-II Ready Mode to ensure that your repair was successful. After completing repairs, drive the vehicle until the PCM enters readiness mode or the code is cleared.

Severity and symptoms

Since the P0053 code means that the upstream O2 sensor heater is mostly inoperative, it should be repaired at the earliest opportunity. Symptoms of this engine code may include:

• Reduced fuel efficiency
• Black exhaust smoke due to rich cold start state
• Delayed start due to lean cold start
• Other associated DTCs may also be stored.

reasons

Possible causes of DTC P0053 may include:

• Defective O2 sensor
• Burnt, broken, or disconnected wiring and / or connectors
• Blown fuse or blown fuse
• Defective engine control relay

Possible solutions

A good starting point is always to check the Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) for your particular vehicle. Your problem may be a known issue with a known manufacturer-released fix and could save you time and money while troubleshooting.

To diagnose the P0053 code, I would have access to a diagnostic scanner, a digital volt ohm meter (DVOM), and a trusted source of vehicle information like All Data DIY.

I usually start by visually inspecting the system's wiring harnesses and connectors; paying particular attention to belts that are routed near hot exhaust pipes and manifolds, and belts that are routed near sharp edges, such as on the exhaust shields.

Use the DVOM to test all system fuses and fuses. Be careful when testing these components while they are under stress. Unloaded fuses may appear to be good and then fail on load. This circuit can be loaded by making sure the O2 sensor heaters are activated.

I would continue by retrieving all stored DTCs and freeze frame data. This is done by connecting the scanner to the vehicle's diagnostic port. Make a note of this information as it may be helpful if P0053 is found to be unstable. I would then clear the codes and test drive the vehicle to see if the P0053 resets immediately.

When resetting P0053, make sure the engine is cold enough to activate the O2 sensor heater. Call up the scanner data stream and observe the O2 sensor heater input. Narrow down the data flow display to include only relevant data so you can get a quicker response. If the engine is in the correct temperature range, the O2 sensor heater voltage should be the same as the battery voltage. P0053 will be stored if the O2 sensor heater voltage is different from the battery voltage due to a resistance problem.

Connect DVOM test leads to sensor ground and battery voltage signal wires to monitor real-time O2 sensor data. You can also use the DVOM to test the resistance of the O2 sensor in question. Disconnect all related controllers before testing system circuit resistance with DVOM.

Additional diagnostic tips and notes:

• The O2 sensor heater circuit must be energized when the engine temperature is below normal operating temperature.
• If blown fuses are found, suspect that the O2 heater circuit is shorted to ground.

Related DTC discussions

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• 05 Ford F-150, P0053 and P2195 ?????So I changed the O2 sensor twice after I found O2 problems in the truck. I still get 2 codes; P0053 - HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 1, P2195 - O2 sensor stuck lean (bank1, sensor1). Not sure what else to do with this. Are there any other ideas how to solve this problem? I have a long trip... 
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• 2004 F150 P0053, P0132, P2195, P2196Truck - 2004 F150, 4.6L V8, AT, 2WD, 227K miles. I have a new OBDII/EOBD Cen-Tech (Harbor Freight) scanner. The scanner gives me the following codes; P0053 P0132 P2195 P2196 and what does the code mean. Not sure what repair it is. I think this is an O2 sensor replacement. Please advise. Next… 

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