O2 sensor P0161 hot wiring

[crashflyer]

Hi,
I have a 97 c1500 with the 350. I keep getting a check engine light and it is p0161 bank 2 sensor 2. I have replaced the sensor twice in the past six month. Everytime I clear the code it will come back in a day or so. Can I hot wire any of those four wires going to the sensor to make the computer think the sensor is working. The truck has 201k on it and is still getting 19mpg. I just dont like having the check engine light on all the time.
Thanks

[GMMerlin]

Originally Posted by crashflyer

Hi,
I have a 97 c1500 with the 350. I keep getting a check engine light and it is p0161 bank 2 sensor 2. I have replaced the sensor twice in the past six month. Everytime I clear the code it will come back in a day or so. Can I hot wire any of those four wires going to the sensor to make the computer think the sensor is working. The truck has 201k on it and is still getting 19mpg. I just dont like having the check engine light on all the time.
Thanks

P0161 is for the heater circuit of the O2 sensor, if the SES light keeps coming back on after you replace the sensor, then that is a pretty good indication that the sensor is not the fault.
I would start checking some of these:
Check for a poor connection or a damaged harness. Inspect the harness for the following conditions:
Backed out terminals, Improper mating ,Broken locks, Improperly formed or damaged terminals, poor terminal to wire connection, damaged harness

[jonsonton]

Originally Posted by crashflyer

Hi,
I have a 97 c1500 with the 350. I keep getting a check engine light and it is p0161 bank 2 sensor 2. I have replaced the sensor twice in the past six month. Everytime I clear the code it will come back in a day or so. Can I hot wire any of those four wires going to the sensor to make the computer think the sensor is working. The truck has 201k on it and is still getting 19mpg. I just dont like having the check engine light on all the time.
Thanks

I don't think you can hot wire it any way because the voltage reading has to fluctuate.

What kind of reading are you getting from that sensor on your scanner?

How many wires go to the sensor?

1-1 signal wire-can backprobe and check for varying voltage from .1-.9volts
2-1 signal and 1 ground
3-1 signal 1 ground 12volt heater(check for power)
4-1 signal 2 grounds 12volt heater(check for power)

Hope this helps and good luck.