Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

WOT = 4 O2 sensor low voltage.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 8, 2015 | 11:24 PM
  #1  
1998redSS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Default WOT = 4 O2 sensor low voltage.

Hello all!

Brand new to the forums and to the LS world. Had a 1996 Z28 Camaro and decided to upgrade to a 1998 SS Camaro. Has the SLP lid, ram air, LM1 exhaust and SLP headers on it.

Bought it knowing it had a bad O2 (behind the second cat), replaced it and drove it around and it was fine. Decided to WOT it today and a code threw at around 85MPH. No noticeable power loss, though I'm new to LS so maybe there was power loss...nothing I could feel.

Anyways, get home and I read the codes, 4 codes all saying each O2 had low voltage. I've been looking around and read that a bunch of different things could be wrong with it. Unfortunately all of these never led to any solutions so I was hoping someone here could help me with what to look for. From what I can tell the car has never been properly tuned. I am in contact with the prior owner of F-body Central and he says he can give me a good tune for 300 bucks.

Before I want to do any of that, though, I want to alleviate this problem.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks!
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2015 | 12:15 AM
  #2  
2xLS1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 9
From: Warr Acres, OK
Default

Fuel pressure gauge with a long hose taped to window. Go for WOT drive. Or do it safely on a dyno. S/B 58 psi.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2015 | 01:39 AM
  #3  
Exidous's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 4
From: Under a rock
Default

Unless there is something wrong with the sensors or the power to them I would expect them to read low voltage at WOT. Not enough to trigger a CEL but still low. When you go WOT the engine enters into PE(power enrichment). During PE the engine shuts off the fuel trims and ignores the O2's altogether. It uses only the MAF sensor. This is of course on a stock PCM OS that has not been modified to disable the MAF or MAP. During normal driving the PCM uses a hybrid MAP/MAF setup in conjunction with what the O2's are reading to try to better adjust to atmospheric changes.

When you go WOT the PCM pumps in enough fuel (supposed to) to achieve roughly a 12.7-13.0AFR. The narrowband O2's do not work in this area.

I'd look into voltage supply issues. All 4 are supplied by the same source. Pink wire switched ignition. You could have a bad sensor that is causing enough draw to induce a voltage drop.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2015 | 10:03 AM
  #4  
2xLS1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 9
From: Warr Acres, OK
Default

Originally Posted by Exidous
Unless there is something wrong with the sensors or the power to them I would expect them to read low voltage at WOT. Not enough to trigger a CEL but still low. When you go WOT the engine enters into PE(power enrichment). During PE the engine shuts off the fuel trims and ignores the O2's altogether. It uses only the MAF sensor. This is of course on a stock PCM OS that has not been modified to disable the MAF or MAP. During normal driving the PCM uses a hybrid MAP/MAF setup in conjunction with what the O2's are reading to try to better adjust to atmospheric changes.

When you go WOT the PCM pumps in enough fuel (supposed to) to achieve roughly a 12.7-13.0AFR. The narrowband O2's do not work in this area.

I'd look into voltage supply issues. All 4 are supplied by the same source. Pink wire switched ignition. You could have a bad sensor that is causing enough draw to induce a voltage drop.
At WOT the O2 Low Voltage diagnostic does look at O2 sensor voltage. And O2 sensors generally go to somewhere in the 8xx-9xx mv range at WOT. Look at criteria 2. Conditions for running and setting the DTC.

http://www.gearchatter.com/viewtopic8755.php
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2015 | 11:40 AM
  #5  
jimmyblue's Avatar
Moderator
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 12,604
Likes: 7
From: East Central Florida
Default

Misfiring (excess plug gap, single crusty injector) can
spoof sensors to make a low output. All four discounts
the single-injector theory, points to an overall lean or
some electrical fault. Electrical fault ought to bother
more sensors than just these.

Fuel pressure drop under load might be about the
fuel pump and plumbing, maybe the old car had a
lesser delivery capability than you need or maybe
the fuel filter is as old as the chassis, or maybe
the wiring & connector resistance is limiting the
big end fuel pressure*flow. You just have to chase
it down to a provable cause.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2015 | 02:37 AM
  #6  
Exidous's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 4
From: Under a rock
Default

Originally Posted by 2xLS1
At WOT the O2 Low Voltage diagnostic does look at O2 sensor voltage. And O2 sensors generally go to somewhere in the 8xx-9xx mv range at WOT. Look at criteria 2. Conditions for running and setting the DTC.

http://www.gearchatter.com/viewtopic8755.php
Ah yes, you're right. Voltage high for WOT. My bad. :-) Was trying to picture it in my head yesterday. My memory fails me.
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2015 | 08:03 AM
  #7  
1998redSS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Default

Well sorry for the late reply but one of my friends told me to try MAF cleaner and clean the sensor. That seemed to work. 3 WOT runs to 130 and no code. Life is good!
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2015 | 12:18 PM
  #8  
dr_whigham's Avatar
The Scammer Hammer
Veteran: Marine Corps
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
iTrader: (49)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,717
Likes: 24
From: Lafayette, LA
Default WOT = 4 O2 sensor low voltage.

Did you take the MAF apart and use a q-tip as well? Geoff showed me this one time when on the dyno cause he suspected my MAF was dirty. I told him I had literally JUST cleaned it.

That's when he laughed and removed it showed me what I missed by just spraying it
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-6

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
Old Jun 13, 2015 | 10:59 PM
  #9  
1998redSS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by dr_whigham
Did you take the MAF apart and use a q-tip as well? Geoff showed me this one time when on the dyno cause he suspected my MAF was dirty. I told him I had literally JUST cleaned it.

That's when he laughed and removed it showed me what I missed by just spraying it
Nope I haven't done that I just sprayed everything I could see! Tomorrow when I have it off again I will use a Q-tip.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2022 | 11:17 PM
  #10  
billy3898's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by 1998redSS
Hello all!

Brand new to the forums and to the LS world. Had a 1996 Z28 Camaro and decided to upgrade to a 1998 SS Camaro. Has the SLP lid, ram air, LM1 exhaust and SLP headers on it.

Bought it knowing it had a bad O2 (behind the second cat), replaced it and drove it around and it was fine. Decided to WOT it today and a code threw at around 85MPH. No noticeable power loss, though I'm new to LS so maybe there was power loss...nothing I could feel.

Anyways, get home and I read the codes, 4 codes all saying each O2 had low voltage. I've been looking around and read that a bunch of different things could be wrong with it. Unfortunately all of these never led to any solutions so I was hoping someone here could help me with what to look for. From what I can tell the car has never been properly tuned. I am in contact with the prior owner of F-body Central and he says he can give me a good tune for 300 bucks.

Before I want to do any of that, though, I want to alleviate this problem.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks!


did you figure out the issue? i’m having basically the same problem
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2022 | 08:29 AM
  #11  
G Atsma's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,297
Likes: 3,619
From: Central Cal.
Default

1998redSS hasn't been herefor over 5 years. Always check post dates.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:16 AM.

story-0
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-1
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-3
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-6
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-7
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-8
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE