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By BAT Auto

"Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the
truth." - Sherlock Holmes

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Reinier

P0037 – Heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) 2, bank 1, heater control -circuit

low

By Reinier (Contact Me)

Last Updated 2016-06-11
Automobile Repair Shop Owner

Trouble
Fault Location Probable Cause
Code

Heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) 2, bank 1, heater control Wiring short to earth, HO2S,
P0037
-circuit low ECM

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What Does Code P0037 Mean?

OBD II fault code P0037 is defined as “Oxygen Sensor Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 1
Sensor 2), and is set when the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) detects a signal voltage from
oxygen sensor #2 that does not fall within the predefined range for that sensor. Note that “Bank
1” refers to the bank of cylinders that contains cylinder #1, and that “Sensor 2” refers to the
oxygen sensor that is located after (downstream of) the catalytic converter(s).

Regardless of the number of oxygen sensors present in a vehicle, each sensor is provided with a
dedicated circuit to control the heating of the sensor element. Heating the element electrically
brings the sensors into operation much sooner than would have been the case if the sensors were
heated by the exhaust stream; by bringing the sensors into operation sooner, emissions are
reduced significantly.
On most applications, the electrical resistance of an oxygen sensor will be 8 Ohms (or very close
to it), and deviations of 10% of this value will set code P0037 and trigger the CHECK ENGINE
light. Input voltages in all oxygen sensor heater control circuits should be equal to battery
voltage; deviations of 10% will also set code P0037 and trigger the CHECK ENGINE light. Note
that the electrical resistance may differ on some applications- consult the manual on the exact
values for the application being worked on.

During normal (closed loop) engine operation, the signal voltage from the #2 oxygen sensor(s)
will vary constantly, and in cases where the PCM detects no changes in the sensor signal
voltage(s) for a period of about 8 continuous seconds, code P0037 can be set and the CHECK
ENGINE light triggered.

Oxygen sensor #2 monitors the functioning of the catalytic converter, whereas sensor #1
monitors fuel/air metering. In practical terms, this means that sensor #1 measures the amount of
oxygen in the exhaust stream (as a function of the combustion process) before it enters the
catalytic converter, while sensor #2 measures how well the converter(s) copes with cleaning up
the exhaust stream.

NOTE: Some Japanese cars, such as Toyota, do not use conventional oxygen sensors. Instead,
these applications use AIR/FUEL RATIO sensors that are NOT interchangeable with
conventional oxygen sensors. Consult the relevant repair manual for these applications for the
correct testing/diagnostic/repair procedures. The image below shows the differences between
conventional oxygen sensors and air/fuel sensors.

Note: Circuit Low Input codes are often the result of low battery voltages (that can have many
possible causes), bad connections across electrical connectors or previously repaired wiring, as
well as corrosion in electrical connectors. Other possible causes of low input voltages include
poor installation of aftermarket components, poor quality aftermarket components like fuses,
relays, and switches, and modification of the electrical system that could include the use of
conductors that are not rated for use in a particular application. However, poor connections often
result in high resistances in some parts of the circuit, which is why it is important to perform
resistance and continuity checks during the diagnostic procedure.

What are the common causes of code P0037 ?

Common causes of code P0037 include the following-

  Burnt wiring caused by wiring that runs too close to hot exhaust components
 Short circuits caused by burnt wiring
 Bad connections caused by corrosion, or impact damage caused by road debris
 Bad ground connections
 Low battery voltage
 Blown fuses (where applicable) on the heater control circuit

Note that vacuum leaks that cause unmetered air to enter the engine are more likely to cause
Oxygen Sensor Range/Performance issues than low input voltages in the control circuit.

What are the symptoms of code P0037 ?

While the symptoms of code P0037 are much the same on all vehicles, the severity of one or
more symptoms may differ from vehicle to vehicle. Typical symptoms include the following-

 Rich-running condition
 Lean-running condition
 Increased fuel consumption
 Loss of power
 Rough idling
 Visible black smoke from the tail pipe
 Hard starting in some cases
 Illuminated CHECK ENGINE light
 Stored trouble code(s)

How do you troubleshoot code P0037 ?

NOTE #1: It should be noted that code P0037 indicates a fault in the oxygen sensors’ heating
control circuits, rather than issues with fuel/air metering. In cases where codes relating to fuel/air
metering are present along with P0037, these codes must be resolved before starting an electrical
diagnosis of code P0037.

NOTE #2: At the risk of overstating the case, code P0037 relates to oxygen sensors that are
located after the catalytic converter. To avoid confusion, and prevent testing/replacement of the
wrong oxygen sensors, always consult the repair manual to determine the location, color-coding,
and routing of the wiring associated with #2 oxygen sensors.

NOTE #3: Check for, and repair all exhaust leaks before starting an electrical diagnosis of code
P0037. Exhaust leaks can contaminate the atmospheric air used by oxygen sensors, which
contamination can result in inaccurate readings.

Step 1
Record all fault codes and available freeze frame data. This data can be useful in cases where an
intermittent fault is diagnosed later on.
Step 2
Perform a thorough visual inspection of all associated wiring and connectors. Look for damaged,
shorted, burnt, or broken wiring and connectors. Replace wiring and/or connectors as required,
and rescan the system to see if the code returns.

NOTE: On some applications, the input voltage is supplied through a fused circuit. Be sure to
check associated fuses during the initial inspection of the wiring.

Step 3
If the code persists, perform reference, continuity, and resistance tests on all associated wiring.
Input voltage must be equal to battery voltage (12.6 to 13.8-volts), so be sure to check that the
battery is fully charged. Be sure to disconnect the sensor from the PCM before starting continuity
checks to prevent damage to the controller.

Pay particular attention to the resistance of the sensor, which should be 8 Ohms, or very close to
it. Compare the obtained resistance reading to the value stated in the manual, and replace the
sensor if it deviates from the stated value. Remove the sensor from the exhaust system, and be
sure to unplug the connector to get the most accurate resistance reading.

NOTE: Be aware that on some applications, the input voltage is supplied by the PCM, and in
these cases the input voltage will not be routed through a fuse. On some applications the ground
is also supplied by the PCM in Key-On-Engine-Off mode, while on other applications the engine
needs to run for a ground to be present. Consult the manual on this point.

Step 4
While the oxygen sensor is removed from the system, inspect the element for signs of
discoloration, or the presence of deposits. Some aftermarket fuel and oil additives contain
silicone-based compounds that can cause deposits to form on spark plugs and oxygen sensors.
Note that oxygen sensors cannot be cleaned to remove deposits; the only reliable remedy is to
replace the sensor, and not to use any sort of oil/fuel additives

Step 5
It deposits and discoloration is found, replace the sensor, and retest the system to verify that all
voltages/resistances fall within the manufacturers specifications. If all readings check out OK,
start the engine and allow the PCM to enter closed loop operation.

If the sensor was replaced and the wiring is in good shape, the code scanner should indicate a
reading that falls close to the mid-point between a rich-, and lean running condition. A variation
of around 100-, to 200 millivolts to either side of the mid-point is acceptable, but the reading
should remain constant if the engine speed does not change.
Changing the engine speed should produce an almost immediate change in the displayed reading;
if no change is observed, or there is a significant time lag (more than 5 to 8 seconds or so) before
the reading changes, the sensor is defective- assuming of course that there is no damage or
corrosion present on the connector.

Check the connector again; if it is in a less-than-perfect condition, repair/replace it, and check the
sensors’ operation again. If the fault persists after repairing the connector, replace the sensor if it
was not replaced previously after the inspection for discoloration or the presence of deposits.

NOTE: Bear in mind that the overall state of repair of an engine can have significant effects on
the performance of oxygen sensors. If there are no electrical issues in the heater control circuit of
an oxygen sensor, there is little point in trying to diagnose oxygen sensor related issues if the
engine is affected by excessive oil burning, poor combustion, vacuum leaks, exhaust leaks, or
other issues that affect the overall performance of the engine and/or exhaust system.

Step 6
At this point, the repair should be complete, but to be sure, clear all codes and test drive the
vehicle to see if the code returns. In the unlikely event that the code does return, there may be an
intermittent fault present.

Finding and repairing an intermittent fault can be extremely challenging, and in some cases, the
fault may have to be allowed to worsen before an accurate and definitive repair can be made.

Codes Related to P0037

P0038 – Relates to “Oxygen Sensor Heater Control Circuit High (Bank 1 Sensor 2)”

BAT Team Discussions for P0037

 Intermittent O2 sensor code

You state you suspect it was the downstream sensor which in my language means B1S2 sensor.
Check for heater circuit in conjunction with codes P0037, P0038 and P0141. P0136-139 are for
oxygen sensor circuit malfunction, B1S2. Provided are flow charts for those codes if they are to
appear. Although...

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1 Comment
oldest

Lyupcho Stoyanoski

1 year ago

I coneckt extra led light ramp on mazda cx-7 directly to the long lights, plus with plus and
ground with ground. First i lost long lights imidiatly and next day when i check all fuses and
relle i get yellow engine lamp in the instrument board. All fuses okej, but i have this fault cod
and didn’t have long lights. Can somebody help me with this issue?

Reply

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