P0130 OBD Error Code: Problem & Solutions

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The P0130 OBD code is related to the bank 1, sensor 1, and oxygen sensor. Your car may have as many as up to five oxygen sensors. The powertrain computer (PCM) may trigger this code when deciding that the oxygen sensor voltage or the air fuel ratio sensor has stayed in a lean signal/condition (below 400 millivolts) over too long a period. This principle can differ from model to model.

The oxygen sensor intention is to measure the oxygen content in the exhaust gases after they have left the engine’s combustion process. This information is crucial so that the engine can create the best power, meanwhile simultaneously, creating the least possible quantity of air pollution. If the exhaust has too little oxygen that means that the engine is running too rich and using too much fuel. It puts fuel to waste and pollutes the air with carbon monoxide. When this happens, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) will deduct on the quantity of fuel it sends to the engine. If the exhaust has too much oxygen, this means that the engine is running too lean and is polluting the air with toxic nitrogen oxides and raw hydrocarbons. When this happens, the PCM will upgrade the quantity of fuel sent to the engine.

What causes this problem with the Sensor Circuit Malfunction?

• Plug is disconnected to the sensor
• Sensor connector has a possible corrosion
• Sensor wiring to the ECM is damaged
• Fuel system has poor volume to the engine (i.e. Fuel Pump or another component)
• Intake vacuum air leaks
• Air or fuel systems has loose connections
• Mass Air Flow sensor (MAF) reading out of range
• Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor (MAP) reading out of range
• Evaporative Emissions (EVAP) leaks
• HO2S sensors reading are out of range
• Fuel pressure regulator leaks
• The ECM is damaged

1. Oxygen Sensor - Car engines with a bad oxygen sensor frequently run on a rough or irregular basis. Oxygen sensors can control many of a variety of engine functions, as well as fuel/air mixture, engine timing and engine combustion intervals. A defective oxygen sensor can interrupt any of these things and lead to a rough engine idles, so to save money at the pump and improve your car’s performance, talk to a qualified mechanic.
2. Mass Air Flow sensor - A defective mass airflow sensor will cause the engine to stall shortly after starting, have difficulty starting or turning over, hesitate or drag while under load or when idle, hesitate and jerk during acceleration, hiccup repeatedly and cause the fuel to be excessively rich or lean during the idling. In this case, take it to a qualified mechanic that will run a complete computer diagnostic.
3. Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor - A defective MAP sensor will cause your car to fail an emissions test, where your tailpipe emissions may display a high level of hydrocarbons, high NOx production, low CO2, or a high level of carbon monoxide. Find a professionally trained technician who is able to properly diagnose and repair a failed MAP sensor in your vehicle.
4. Exhaust Gasket - A defective exhaust manifold gasket will create an exhaust leak that will make a hissing or tapping sound coming from the engine, causing issues such as decrease in power, acceleration, fuel efficiency and burning smell in the engine bay. Have a professional technician check your engine to detect if your car needs an exhaust manifold gasket replacement.
5. Powertrain Control Module - PCM problems impact the engine’s performance and can make the car revert more to safe condition to prevent damages in future. It’s smart to replace this defected PCM as soon as possible. It’s smart to replace these defected PCM parts as soon as possible.
6. Engine Control Module - OBD Error Code P0002 can also be a result of a defective EVM (Engine Vibration Monitoring System). Replacing the faulty electrical right away is a better solution.
7. Fuel Pump - When a fuel pump is damaged, it’s unable to provide acceptable fuel to the engine, hence it results in engine stalling and occasionally not starting that results in the OBD trouble code P0130. Replacing the damaged fuel pump instantly is strongly advised.

The P0130 OBD code will create a Check Engine Light on the instrument panel/dash and is bound to affect:

Common Symptoms

• How the engine performance runs when driving
• Possible stalling
• May lead the exhaust to show smoke in a range of colors from black to white
• Fuel economy will eventually decrease

The most common possible repairs to address to by the P0130 code are as follows:

• Connect a professional scan tool. Confirm the code exists.
• Detect for any other errors. Clear the code to see if it comes back.
• Inspect the ECM for data.
• Take the car on a road test.
• Detect to see if the P0130 comes back.
• Examine all of the parts listed above. (Wiring, leaks, etc.)
• Diagnose the problem even further with the equipment listed above (Scan tool, voltage meter). The sensor emits signals that need to be examined so to decide where the problem is located. If the signals are good, then we need to press forward with the wiring or computer.
• Replace the part that is defected.

A scan tool that is able to read sensors can correctly diagnose the P0130 code. (Not just any random one from an auto parts store).

A certified technician can read the data from the scan tool and decide when the issue happened, or if it is still happening. The technician may clear the code/light and test-drive the car, at the same time monitor data to if it comes back.

Founding by the testing conditions, further diagnosis needs to be made. Diagnosis may need electrical tools as listed:

• A scan tool advanced to read the ECM.
• A digital meter that has attachments.
• A smoke machine that puts smoke in the intake system to checkup on leaks.

Common Mistakes When Diagnosing The P0130 Code

Simply replacing the component never assures any success in solving your problem again. Several issues may cause this, as listed above and possibly even more.

A visual checkup and tests with a scan tool, also special equipment, as listed above, will confirm your issue before you likely spend money and time exchanging the sensor in future.

Waveforms (electrical signals) will have to be assessed by a scan tool or oscilloscope to make sure the component or fix that is needed is to be conducted. Further testing may be mandatory.