Powertrain, generic (extended)

P223C O2 Sensor Pumping Current Range/Performance (Bank 1)

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleRequired
Limp modeNo

P223C judges whether the pump current of the bank 1 wide-band sensor makes sense while the engine is coasting with fuel cut off. In that state the sensor sees almost pure air and, as Bosch's LSU 4.9 data show, must drive a clearly positive current. GM's tables (2016, 2018, 2019) start the test after 5 s of fuel cut-off and stop it at 12 s, with the reference cell above about 600 °C. Three windows count as faulty: current too large (above 5.0 mA, or 4.18 mA with the Delphi interface), close to zero (within ±0.3 or ±0.1 mA), or negative (below -0.10 mA). Each window has its own counter, e.g. 40 failures in 160 samples at 25 ms; the code is Type B. GM notes that it also catches open pump, reference-cell and reference-ground circuits. P223D is bank 2.

Likely causes

Aged or poisoned wide-band sensor with wrong pump current in air
Open pump-current, reference-cell or reference-ground wire
Exhaust leak or misfire that distorts the gas at the sensor

Symptoms

  • Check engine light after two drives
  • Usually no noticeable change in driving behaviour

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumDIY possible
Parts and labour€90–400
Time0.5–2 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

oxygen sensor bank1 sensor1oxygen sensor wiringecm

Related codes

P223DP223EP2237P2243P2251

References: gsi.ext.gm.com, gsi.ext.gm.com, bosch-motorsport.com, law.cornell.edu.