P0153: Oxygen sensor (bank 2, sensor 1): slow response
The bank 2 oxygen sensor before the catalytic converter reacts too slowly to changes in the mixture. It is nearly always an ageing sensor.
| Code | P0153 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P01xx, Air and fuel metering |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0153 means
The oxygen sensor before the catalytic converter measures how much oxygen is left in the exhaust, and the ECU uses that to fine-tune the air and fuel mixture. This code means the signal does change, but more slowly than it should, which is typical of a sensor with high mileage. Bank 2 is the side of the engine opposite cylinder 1, and it only exists on V-shaped or boxer engines.
Most common causes
- Oxygen sensor worn out by age and mileage
- Sensor contaminated by oil, coolant or fuel additives
- Exhaust leak close to the sensor
- Poor contact in the connector or wiring
- Air leak or misfires upsetting the exhaust gases
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on
- Higher fuel consumption than usual
- Slightly rough idle or small hesitations
- High emissions that can fail the inspection
Can you drive with P0153?
With care You can drive, but the mixture may not be controlled properly: fuel use goes up and, left too long, it can end up damaging the catalytic converter. Get it looked at soon.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
With the engine warm and slightly revved, watch the sensor voltage in live data: it should switch between lean and rich several times a second. If it rises and falls sluggishly, the sensor is tired.
How to read and clear P0153 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0153 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P014F Heated lambda sensor 1 on bank 2 responds slowly when switching from lean to
- P0150 Oxygen sensor (bank 2, sensor 1): circuit fault
- P0151 Oxygen sensor (bank 2, sensor 1): voltage too low
- P0152 The lambda sensor (bank 2, sensor 1) gives a higher signal than normal
- P0154 Heated lambda sensor 1 on bank 2 shows no activity
- P0155 Oxygen sensor heater (bank 2, sensor 1): circuit fault
- P0156 Oxygen sensor (bank 2, sensor 2): circuit fault
- P0157 Oxygen sensor (bank 2, sensor 2): voltage too low
- P0100 Mass or volume air flow sensor circuit fault
- P0101 Air flow sensor range or performance problem
- P0102 Air flow sensor circuit low input
- P0103 Air flow sensor circuit high input
What does code P0153 mean?
The oxygen sensor before the catalytic converter measures how much oxygen is left in the exhaust, and the ECU uses that to fine-tune the air and fuel mixture. This code means the signal does change, but more slowly than it should, which is typical of a sensor with high mileage. Bank 2 is the side of the engine opposite cylinder 1, and it only exists on V-shaped or boxer engines.
Can you drive with P0153?
You can drive, but the mixture may not be controlled properly: fuel use goes up and, left too long, it can end up damaging the catalytic converter. Get it looked at soon.
How do you clear P0153?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0153 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
