I got code 41 on a 98 civic hx. According to the manual, there's a problem w/ the sensor heater circuit, do I need a new sensor?

 

Probably. How many miles do you have on that sensor?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SilverCIVIC96 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I got code 41 on a 98 civic hx. According to the manual, there's a problem w/ the sensor heater circuit, do I need a new sensor?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, you need a new sensor.

 

Yes you need a new sensor, I just fixed the same problem on my car.

 

thanks guys, Ill try a new sensor. 110k on this one

 

It could also be a broken wire going to the sensor heater. Did you check that the heater circuit was getting power? Then check the heater itself (in the sensor) for continuity.

 

Don't be so hasty to replace the O2....bust out a multi-meter and measure the heater element resistance; should be ~15-40ohms. If that is out of spec, then replace the sensor, but shotgunning is never a good idea. As Jim explained, your wiring could have become comprimised.

 

I agree with EE_Chris and Jim Blake. Just because you've got an O2S code doesn't mean the O2S is your problem, especially when it pertains to the heater. From what I know, and correct me if I'm wrong, a O2S Heater code is usually thrown when the PCM sees that the O2S is not heating up fast enough. Inside the PCM there's a set parameter for the time it takes for the Heater to heat up the O2S. If that time is exceeded the CEL comes on..

But, I could be wrong..

Just remember, you always check the wiring first before replacing any parts. Especially if it costs a lot..

 

It is common for the contacts in the socket for the heater to become discconnected. Unplug and see if the pins have seperated. Also check the resistance as stated above.

 

update: I bought a sensor of a seller on HT, and the problem is fixed. I looked at the pins and they were all the same height out of the plug, so I don't think that was the problem...

thanks for all your help guys, HT comes through again

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EE_Chris &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">bust out a multi-meter and measure the heater element resistance; should be ~15-40ohms. If that is out of spec, then replace the sensor, but shotgunning is never a good idea. As Jim explained, your wiring could have become comprimised.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Can someone elaborate on this for me? 98 LX throwing code 41 as well. I have a multi-meter so I would like to check the wiring out.

Thanks!!

 

Very simple to do: Unplug the O2 sensors from the main engine wiring harness. Holding the O2 sensors' plug in your hand, you'll want to measure the resistance between the 2 black wires. Make sure to set your meter to the scale that is just above 40 ohms (probably 100 or 200 ohms).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EE_Chris &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Very simple to do: Unplug the O2 sensors from the main engine wiring harness. Holding the O2 sensors' plug in your hand, you'll want to measure the resistance between the 2 black wires. Make sure to set your meter to the scale that is just above 40 ohms (probably 100 or 200 ohms).</TD></TR></TABLE>

Does the motor have to be warmed?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PnX-R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> From what I know, and correct me if I'm wrong, a O2S Heater code is usually thrown when the PCM sees that the O2S is not heating up fast enough. Inside the PCM there's a set parameter for the time it takes for the Heater to heat up the O2S. If that time is exceeded the CEL comes on..

But, I could be wrong..
</TD></TR></TABLE>
The ECU doesn't have a way to check the temperature of the o2 heater directly. What it does is monitor the voltage going to it to make sure there is a load on the circuit. If the voltage drop is out of range, it turns on the CEL and stores a code.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hybrid93Hatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Does the motor have to be warmed?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nope.

 

I just got a code on my 98 HB (cx) (all stock) that said O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction. It was code 135. I replaced the sensor thinking that would do it, but I still get the code, so I'm guessing it is not getting power, but I don't know how to test for that. I looked at the wiring diagram but it didn't make complete sense to me, and I don't know what PCM stands for although I'm assuming it's a computer component or chip that routes power.

Another problem I have is that I don't know WHERE to test for the power, where the PCM is, or how much power it should be getting, or which wires are supplying the power.

For the wires supplying power, I think one of the posts mentioned that they are the black wires on the sensor are the ones that heat the sensor; this would mean that I test the ones they connect to [on the engine wiring] with a multimeter.

Now, once I figure out which ones are supplying power, I want to know how to solve whatever problem I discover. If it is NOT getting power from the heater ciruit, I need to know what to do next.

Thanks all, and HT!

 

PCM = powertrain control module, ECM & TCM together in the same box.

ECM = engine control module
TCM = transmission control module

ECU = engine control unit (this is typical European term)

I think you're right about the sensor heater wires. If your meter tolerates reverse voltages, then just check across those 2 wires. It'll simply read (-) if they're backwards. The +12v wire probably comes from the main relay, the other goes to the PCM or ECU or whatever you want to call it.