hey all,

My check engine light is on. When I check the OBD1 check engine procedure to place a jumper from TE1 to E1 and then turn on the key to the on posistion the check engine light just remains solid - it does not blink to give me what the error code is. Any suggestions what the problem is? I have tried using a paperclip and a piece of copper wire, still with no luck.


thanks for your feedback!

 

Ok, so i finally was able to pull the code. I got a code 21. which is

CODE NUMBER 21


System: Heated oxygen Sensor Signal
Malfunction Indicator Lamp: ON
Diagnosis: Open or short in heater circuit of heated oxygen sensor for 0.5 seconds. or more. At normal driving speed (below 60 mph and engine speed is above 1,700 rpm), amplitude of heated oxygen sensor signal is reduced to between 0.35 - 0.70 volts continuously for 60 seconds or more. 2 trip detection logic only.
Trouble Area: Open or short in heater circuit of heated oxygen sensor, Heated oxygen sensor heater, Open or short in heated oxygen sensor circuit, Heated oxygen sensor, ECM


any ideas on how i would go about fixing it?

 

Sounds like your 02 sensor is just bad.... Have you replaced it lately? Its cheap enough, i think 40 bucks off of rock auto.

 

You've run two results together. The second half ("At normal driving ...") is in "test mode" only.

But the answer is probably as jb451 says; you've got an open in the O2 sensor heater. For the $40 it is probably okay to replace it on spec; they don't last forever.

But you can get this code with a wiring problem (notably if you're running an "universal" sensor with a hand-spliced connection -- stay away from those.) You can test the heater in the O2 sensor if you are so inclined. http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...01heatedox.pdf

 

I got a code 21 and found a severed wire when I inspected the O2 sensor. I'm replacing the sensor anyway because I have no idea how old it is and I'm having other running problems. But the code 21 was from a severed wire in my case.

 

so I say it safe to assume it was in fact just a bad o2 sensor. Went to a greedy junkyard and pocketed a couple o2 sensors and put them under the torch and voltmeter and replaced the broken one with one that works and the CEL has not returned.

 

Good Deal