Powertrain, generic (extended)

P223E O2 Sensor Reference Resistance Out Of Range (Bank 1)

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

P223E checks the internal resistance of the reference (Nernst) cell in the bank 1 wide-band sensor. That resistance falls as the ceramic heats up, so the ECM uses it as a thermometer; Bosch specifies 300 ohms nominal for the LSU 4.9 at operating temperature. GM's tables (2016-2019) convert the value supplied by the interface chip into an element temperature and flag anything below 700 °C or above 1,000 °C in 80 % of samples (64 of 80 in 2018, 128 of 160 in 2016/2019), starting 20 s after heater warm-up; the code is Type B. GM bulletin 16-NA-266 covers 2016-2017 ATS, CTS, CT6, Camaro, Malibu and Envision with the 2.0 turbo LTG: a voltage spike inside the ECM sets P223E or P0132 and also blocks remote start, cured by reprogramming. P223F is bank 2, P0135 the heater itself.

Likely causes

Aged sensor whose reference cell resistance has drifted
Heater not holding the element at temperature (heater, wiring or control)
ECM calibration fault on GM 2.0 turbo LTG (bulletin 16-NA-266)

Symptoms

  • Check engine light after two consecutive drives
  • Remote start refuses to start the engine (GM LTG models)

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumWorkshop job
Parts and labour€0–400
Time0.3–2 h

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

Parts involved

oxygen sensor bank1 sensor1oxygen sensor heaterecm

Related codes

P223FP223CP0135P0030P0132

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