Description
OBD-II Trouble Code Description for P0163 Chevrolet
O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage
What does this mean?
OBD2 Code P0163 Chevrolet definition:
This code definition:a fault in one of the post-catalyst O2 sensors on Bank 2. This oxygen sensor is used for a specific purpose. This is it in a nutshell: The Catalytic Converter is used to help control emissions, to “clean up” the exhaust gasses. The PCM (Powertrain Control Module) uses the signal from post catalyst heated oxygen sensors to monitor the catalyst’s efficiency by comparing it to the O2 sensors in front of the catalyst. If the PCM sees little or no difference between the exhaust quality in post- and pre- catalyst sensors then it knows that the catalyst is not working properly. To over simplify: a post-cat sensor’s main job is to monitor catalyst efficiency, not control fuel management. If you have a P0163 Chevrolet, that doesn’t mean your catalyst is bad (in fact, it usually never does). This code basically means that the Bank 2, Sensor 3 (or third o2 sensor back on bank 2) signal voltage is below what is considered normal for that sensor. It’s a four wire sensor being supplied a 0.5 volt reference voltage on the signal wire and a ground, as well as a power and ground circuit for the o2 sensor heater element. Changes in oxygen content cause resistance changes inside the sensor. This changing resistance affects the 0.5 volts on the signal/reference circuit. A heated o2 sensor is capable of switching between 0.1 volts and 0.9 volts with 0.1 volts indicating lean and 0.9 volts indicating rich. However, a properly working post-catalyst sensor will exhibit small changes at a slower rate than front (pre-catalyst) O2 sensors. It may switch slightly above and below 0.45 volts at the rate of about 1 switch per second or less. The PCM monitors this signal change to determine if the catalyst is working properly. If the PCM determines that the Bank 2,3 O2 sensor signal voltage is below a certain threshold for too long, P0163 Chevrolet will set.
Symptoms
Possible sumptoms of OBD code P0163 Chevrolet
Rear O2 sensor problems won’t usually cause drivability issues since they are an input that measures catalyst efficiency (unlike front O2 sensors). However if you have other codes present, like lean codes or pre-O2 sensor codes, then they may cause drivability problems. The following symptoms may be present: MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) illumination Engine performance issues Engine running rough Engine running rich (only if PCM is trying to add fuel to compensate for low O2 sensor voltage reading) Engine running lean (only if vacuum leak is large enough that PCM can’t compensate by adding fuel) Poor idle
Causes
Possible causes of OBD code P0163 Chevrolet
Potential causes of a P0163 Chevrolet code include: Air leaks in exhaust in front of O2 sensor giving false reading Engine running excessively lean O2 sensor connector damaged/corroded O2 sensor signal circuit is shorted to ground O2 sensor ground circuit is open O2 sensor has failed (it may be contaminated with fuel or coolant) PCM has failed
Possible Solutions
It’s always good to start with checking for air leaks in the exhaust manifold and in the exhaust pipes. Fix these first. With KOER (Key on engine running) use a scan tool or a voltmeter check the O2 sensor signal voltage with engine warm. You may have to increase the RPM to a fast idle to check the voltage of the bank 2,3 sensor. If it’s voltage is stuck low (less than 0.5 volts) and you don’t have any other O2 sensor codes present in the PCM, then the sensor is probably bad. If the voltage isn’t stuck low and the O2 sensor seems to be operating fine, it’s likely sticking low intermittently. This often turns out to be the sensor. In either case, replacing the sensor can be an effective way to diagnose the problem. But it can also be an expensive diagnostic tool, especially if it turns out to be a wiring issue, instead of a sensor. So, if you’re interested in knowing for sure what the problem is before spending unnecessarily, then perform the following: 1. Turn off the engine and unplug the 2,3 O2 sensor connector. Inspect for corrosion, etc. Repair as necessary. Make sure that there is battery voltage present and ground present for the O2 sensor heater. If there isn’t, then diagnose that first then retest. The O2 sensor depends on the heater to warm it up so it can start working quicker. If the heater element is bad or there isn’t the proper voltage supplying it, the sensor may set this code. Usually heater problems have codes associated with them, too. If you find there is no battery voltage feeding the O2 sensor use the associated code to diagnose that. If you find the heater element bad, replace the sensor. If the heater element checks out then, using a jumper wire, supply a chassis ground to the O2 sensor connector (PCM side) ground circuit. Now observe the scan tool bank 2,3 O2 sensor reading. If it is now at about a half a volt then replace the O2 sensor. If, after supplying a ground to the unplugged PCM side of the O2 sensor connector, the voltage reading doesn’t change then check the harness for short to ground. Check for harness making contact with exhaust components. Check pins for damage, and for moisture. Repair as necessary. If you can find no harness problems, then the PCM may be at fault.
The OBD2 Code Information Be Applicable For Chevrolet
2013 Chevrolet Traverse2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer2013 Chevrolet Spark2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS2013 Chevrolet Onix2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO2013 Chevrolet Malibu2013 Chevrolet Cruze Station Wagon2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible2013 Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Edition2013 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE2012 Chevrolet Tru 140S Concept2012 Chevrolet Sonic Sedan2012 Chevrolet Sonic2012 Chevrolet Silverado2012 Chevrolet Orlando2012 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition2012 Chevrolet Corvette Daytona Racecar2012 Chevrolet Colorado2012 Chevrolet Code 130R Concept2012 Chevrolet Captiva2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL12012 Chevrolet Camaro EU Version2012 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible EU Version2012 Chevrolet Camaro COPO Convertible2012 Chevrolet Camaro COPO2012 Chevrolet Camaro 67 Hot Wheels Concept2012 Chevrolet Camaro 45th Anniversary Edition2012 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan2011 Chevrolet Volt2011 Chevrolet TrailBlazer Concept2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD2011 Chevrolet Sail2011 Chevrolet Miray Concept2011 Chevrolet Cruze2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition2011 Chevrolet Colorado Rally Concept2011 Chevrolet Colorado Concept2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Neiman Marcus2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible2011 Chevrolet Aveo2010 Chevrolet Volt MPV5 Concept2010 Chevrolet Spark2010 Chevrolet Equinox2010 Chevrolet Corvette Z06X Concept2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport2010 Chevrolet Camaro Transformers2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Indy 500 Pace Car2010 Chevrolet Camaro SSX Concept2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS2010 Chevrolet Camaro Red Flash Concept2010 Chevrolet Camaro2010 Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept2010 Chevrolet Agile2009 Chevrolet Traverse2009 Chevrolet Stingray Concept2009 Chevrolet Cruze WTCC2009 Chevrolet Cruze2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR12009 Chevrolet Corvette GT12009 Chevrolet Aveo52008 Chevrolet Orlando Concept2008 Chevrolet Matiz2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT2008 Chevrolet Lumina SS2008 Chevrolet HHR SS2008 Chevrolet GPiX Concept2008 Chevrolet Equinox Sport2008 Chevrolet Corvette2008 Chevrolet Captiva Sport2008 Chevrolet Camaro LS7 Concept2008 Chevrolet Camaro GS Racecar Concept2008 Chevrolet Camaro Black Concept2008 Chevrolet Aveo2007 Chevrolet Volt Concept2007 Chevrolet Trax Concept2007 Chevrolet Tahoe2007 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ2007 Chevrolet Silverado Regular Cab2007 Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab2007 Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab2007 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD LTZ Crew Cab2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LTZ Extended Cab2007 Chevrolet Jay Lenos Corvette C6RS E852007 Chevrolet HHR Panel2007 Chevrolet Groove Concept2007 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept2007 Chevrolet Beat Concept2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ2007 Chevrolet 34 Coupe E85 Concept2006 Chevrolet WTCC Ultra Concept2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS2006 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 Extended Cab2006 Chevrolet Silverado Intimidator SS2006 Chevrolet Silverado Hydrogen Military Vehicle2006 Chevrolet Sequel Concept2006 Chevrolet Nubira Station Wagon WTCC R2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS2006 Chevrolet Malibu SS2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS2006 Chevrolet Kodiak C45002006 Chevrolet Impala SS2006 Chevrolet Impala2006 Chevrolet HHR LT2006 Chevrolet Epica2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Daytona 500 Pace Car2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z062006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS2006 Chevrolet Cobalt LT2006 Chevrolet Celta2006 Chevrolet Captiva2006 Chevrolet Camaro Concept2006 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan2005 Chevrolet West Coast Customs HHR2005 Chevrolet Uplander2005 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid2005 Chevrolet Kodiak2005 Chevrolet Equinox2005 Chevrolet Corvette C6R Race Car2005 Chevrolet Corvette C62005 Chevrolet Corvette2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe2005 Chevrolet Cobalt SS2005 Chevrolet Cobalt2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Xtreme2005 Chevrolet Astra GSi 2.0 16V2005 Chevrolet Astra 2.0 Flexpower Elite2005 Chevrolet Astra 2.0 Flexpower Elegance2005 Chevrolet Astra 2.0 Flexpower Comfort2004 Chevrolet Tracker Turbo2004 Chevrolet Silverado2004 Chevrolet SOCAL SSR Bonneville Salt Flats2004 Chevrolet S3X Concept2004 Chevrolet Nomad Concept2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS2004 Chevrolet Matiz M3X Concept2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx2004 Chevrolet Malibu2004 Chevrolet Lumina SS2004 Chevrolet Impala SS2004 Chevrolet Express2004 Chevrolet Electric S-10 Concept2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Commemorative Edition2004 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab2004 Chevrolet Colorado LS Z71 Extended Cab2004 Chevrolet Colorado LS Z71 Crew Cab2004 Chevrolet Colorado LS Regular Cab2004 Chevrolet Colorado LS Extended Cab2004 Chevrolet Colorado LS Crew Cab2004 Chevrolet Colorado Extended Cab2004 Chevrolet Colorado Cruz2004 Chevrolet Cheyenne Concept2004 Chevrolet Aveo LS 5 Door2004 Chevrolet Aveo LS 4 Door
Note:
1. The list of automotive Makes at the right edge of the screen. The currently selected ODB-ii codes is for the Chevrolet makes.
2. Look up the other OBD II Trouble Codes, please use the search box. Enter the 5 character trouble codes in the search box and submit the search.
3. Don’t assume a particular OBD-II code means the same for other auto manufacturers as there are many makes specific codes in use.
4. If your OBD-II trouble codes are for a different car, select that vehicle series before searching for the diagnostic codes because not all OBD2 codes used by one manufacture are used by the other makes.
5. The information contained on this site is presented for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for any actions you take on your vehicle. If you have any doubt as to repairs on your vehicle, please contact your technician.