P0161 O2 sensor code???

[bass_caster]

2000 new body style tahoe 5.3 v8 4x4 automatic with a/c

a couple days ago while driving the service engine soon light came on. my brother-in-law had a code reader and came up with P0161 heater circuit bank 2 sensor 2. from what little i found about that code online, it sounds like an O2 sensor issue. the information i found is conflicting though. one place says bank 2 is drivers side, while another site says bank 2 is passenger side. both say sensor 2 is downstream of the cat. so i have a couple questions...

1. i just want to confirm which side is which.
2. how many total O2 sensors are there on this thing?
3. what are the odds that its actually the O2 sensor and not a short or other issue within the system.
4. last one... if there are more than 1 O2 sensor, are they all identicle or is each one a different part based on its position?

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by bass_caster

2000 new body style tahoe 5.3 v8 4x4 automatic with a/c

a couple days ago while driving the service engine soon light came on. my brother-in-law had a code reader and came up with P0161 heater circuit bank 2 sensor 2. from what little i found about that code online, it sounds like an O2 sensor issue. the information i found is conflicting though. one place says bank 2 is drivers side, while another site says bank 2 is passenger side. both say sensor 2 is downstream of the cat. so i have a couple questions...

1. i just want to confirm which side is which.
2. how many total O2 sensors are there on this thing?
3. what are the odds that its actually the O2 sensor and not a short or other issue within the system.
4. last one... if there are more than 1 O2 sensor, are they all identicle or is each one a different part based on its position?

bank 1 is driverside, bank 2 is pass side....bank is the side of location..

sensor 1 is upstream [closer to engine....] sensor 2 is downsteam of cat..[furthest from engine]..

bank 2 is passenger side ....sensor 2 is downsteam...this type of failure I would swap the downsteam sensors then see if the code changes...if so then you know its the sensor or the sensor connector...


after this is done and you now know what is the cause I would determine how many miles are on these sensors if there is over 100,ooomi it is time to replace...If you don't be prepared to replace the cat converters as this is the usual way things occur...

my 2000 5.3L has 4 identical sensors...make sure that you buy the same type...not some replacement as they need be very close..

never screw with the connectors,,,,this will screw up the very low readings that the computer uses to control things...so this is also why it is best to get the exact replacement...

to remove,, with the exhaust hot loosen sensor,then when the pipe is cool remove...heat helps ease of removal..

[bass_caster]

thanks j cAT. i should have mentioned, my 'hoe has 190,000 miles. the cat, and all the O2 sensors are original. if i swap out sensors, my intent was do swap with genuine delco. i find lots of things work better with delco. i replaced the rotors and pads with delcos and i'm very happy.

with that kind of mileage should i swap them all out or just as they go bad. i will have access to the same code reader that got me this current code.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by bass_caster

thanks j cAT. i should have mentioned, my 'hoe has 190,000 miles. the cat, and all the O2 sensors are original. if i swap out sensors, my intent was do swap with genuine delco. i find lots of things work better with delco. i replaced the rotors and pads with delcos and i'm very happy.

with that kind of mileage should i swap them all out or just as they go bad. i will have access to the same code reader that got me this current code.

when you swap the downsteam 02 sensors take down the number and then with your vin # you will be able to get the correct O2...

It is best to find out first if the sensor is the problem,,,then when the new sensors are installed you will be assured that all should work correctly..

let the forums know how this all works out...

100,ooomi is the correct time interval for replacement,,,,190,ooomi is far to much to have on them...I'm sure after you replace them it should get better MPG/power....