A burning engine fault lamp, increased fuel consumption and an irregularly running motor can all indicate a number of problems. If you receive a P0132 error code on your OBD-II scan, this means that there is an oxygen sensor problem. The powertrain control module sets the P0132 code when it receives very high voltage signals from the heated oxygen sensors for a period of time. The oxygen sensor may be responding too slowly to air-fuel mixtures in the engine. This code may also appear in a mixture of rich fuel. Bank 1 is the side of engine that has cylinder 1. Sensor 1 is an upstream O2 sensors before the catalytic convertor.
Oxygen sensors are located within the exhaust system of the vehicle. Their primary purpose is to measure the amount unburned air in the exhaust system. Oxygen sensor sends information to PCM about the amount of oxygen entering and leaving catalytic converter. The PCM can use this information to determine the amount of fuel needed for optimal performance.
If the oxygen sensor detects a low oxygen level in exhaust, it means the engine is running rich and using too much gas. The PCM will adjust the fuel injection into the engine. If not, fuel consumption, emission values, and engine performance are all likely to increase. O2 sensors are essential for these processes to run smoothly.
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Possible Causes of Fault Code P0132
The fault code P0132 may be caused by a variety of causes, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Most common causes include:
- Rich mixture causes
- Short circuit on the heater circuit of the oxygen sensor (Bank 1, Sensor 1)
- Damaged cable or loose connections
- Fuel temperature is excessively high
- Faulty O2 Sensor
- PCM Fault
What are the P0132 Fault Code symptoms?
- Engine fault light illuminated
- Black smoke and foul odours from the exhaust
- Idling speed fluctuation
- Fuel consumption increases
- Reduced engine performance
- Unregular shifts in gear (automatic transmission)
- Engine stalling
- Catalytic converter faults can occur if the fault persists over a long period of time
How to Fix Fault Code P0132?
- Replace the oxygen sensor (Bank 1, Sensor 1)
- Repair the cables if it is exposed or broken
How Serious is Fault Code P0132?
P0132 fault code is not generally considered to be a serious code. Fuel consumption may increase for the driver. Remember that the vehicle will emit harmful gases if it is in this state. Ignoring this problem for too long may cause performance problems in the engine and lead to the failure of the catalytic convert.
