My 1997 corvette keeps having the check engine light come on and stays on. The car seems to be running normal but the 10PCM P0133HC code appears when checking the DIC. Any help as to what this is and whether I need to be concerned would be great. Thanks.

 

Take a look at this diagnostic from the Service Manual. Since you probably do not have a scan tool try the things you can do like checking wiring, grounds, etc.
Bill

DTC P0133 HO2S Slow Response Bank 1 Sensor 1

Circuit Description
The PCM continuously monitors the Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) activity for 100 seconds. During the monitor period the PCM counts the number of times that the HO2S responds from rich to lean and from lean to rich and adds the amount of time it took to complete all transitions. With this information, the PCM can determine the average time for all transitions. If the average response time is too slow, a DTC will set.

The PCM determines the lean to rich transition when the HO2S voltage changes from less than 300 mV to greater than 600 mV. The PCM determines the rich to lean transition when the HO2S voltage changes from more than 600 mV to less than 300 mV. An HO2S that responds too slowly is most likely defective. Replace the HO2S.

Conditions for Setting the DTC
DTCs P0101, P0102, P0103, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0125, P0335, P0336, P0351-P0358, P1120, P1220, P1221, P1258 not set
The engine coolant temperature is greater than 65°C (149°F).
The system voltage is greater than 9 volts.
The fuel system is operating in Closed Loop.
The engine speed is between 1000 RPM and 2300 RPM.
The engine air flow is between 15 g/s and 35 g/s.
The EVAP Canister purge duty cycle is greater than 0%.
The engine run time is greater than 3 seconds.
The HO2S lean to rich response (below 300 mV to above 600 mV) average time is greater than 100 milliseconds.
The HO2S rich to lean response (above 600 mV to below 300 mV) average time is greater than 100 milliseconds.
Above conditions are met for 100 seconds.
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
The PCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the PCM stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the PCM records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The PCM writes the conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.
Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
The PCM turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
A last test failed, or current DTC, clears when the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
Use a scan tool in order to clear the MIL and the DTC.
Diagnostic Aids
This diagnostic only runs once per ignition cycle.
A malfunction in the HO2S heater circuits causes a DTC to set. Check HO2S heater circuits for intermittent opens/connections.
An oxygen supply inside the HO2S is necessary for proper operation. The HO2S wires provides the supply of oxygen. Inspect the HO2S wires and connections for breaks or contamination. Refer to Body and Accessories/Wiring Systems.
Using the Freeze Frame and/or Failure Records data may aid in locating an intermittent condition. If you cannot duplicate the DTC, the information included in the Freeze Frame and/or Failure Records data can help determine how many miles since the DTC set. The Fail Counter and Pass Counter can also help determine how many ignition cycles the diagnostic reported a pass and/or a fail. Operate the vehicle within the same freeze frame conditions (RPM, load, vehicle speed, temperature etc.) that you observed. This will isolate when the DTC failed. For an intermittent condition, refer to Symptoms .
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

This step determines if the fault is present. This test may take 5 minutes for the diagnostic to run. For any test that requires probing the PCM or a component harness connector, use the Connector Test Adapter Kit J 35616-A . Using this kit prevents damage to the harness connector terminals.

When DTCs P0133 and P0153 are set at the same time, it is a good indication that a fuel contamination problem is present.

An exhaust leak 6-12 inches away from the HO2S can cause a DTC to set.

This step checks whether a good ground circuit is available.

This step checks the integrity of the signal circuit to the PCM.

This step checks the integrity of the signal circuit to the PCM.

Certain RTV silicone gasket materials give off vapors that can contaminate the HO2S. There is also a possibility of silicone contamination caused by silicone in the fuel. If the sensors appear to be contaminated by silicone and all the silicone sealant is a non silicone base, advise the customer to try a different fuel company. A missing fuel filler restrictor indicates the customer may have used leaded fuel.

Step
Action
Value(s)
Yes
No

1
Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?
--
Go to Step 2
Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Important
If any DTCs are set (except P0153), refer to those DTCs before proceeding with this diagnostic table.


Install a scan tool.
Idle the engine at the normal operating temperature.
Operate the vehicle within the parameters specified under Conditions for Setting the DTC in the supporting text.
Monitor the Failed This Ignition option under the DTC Information option using the scan tool.
Did DTC P0133 fail this ignition?
--
Go to Step 3
Go to Diagnostic Aids

3
Did DTC P0153 also fail this ignition?
--
Go to Step 8
Go to Step 4

4
Check for an exhaust system leak. Refer to Engine/Engine Exhaust. After you inspect the exhaust system, return to this diagnostic.
If you find an exhaust leak, repair the exhaust leak as necessary.
Did you isolate an exhaust leak?
--
Go to Step 2
Go to Step 5

5
Visually/physically inspect the following items:

Ensure that the HO2S is securely installed.
Check for corrosion on the terminals.
Check the terminal tension at the HO2S and at the PCM.
Check for damaged wiring.
Did you find a problem in any of the above areas?
--
Go to Step 9
Go to Step 6

6
Disconnect the Bank 1 HO2S 1.
Jumper the HO2S low (PCM side) signal circuit to a ground.
Monitor the Bank 1 HO2S 1 voltage on the Engine 1 Data List using the scan tool.
Does the scan tool indicate a voltage within the specified range?
350-550 mV
Go to Step 7
Go to Step 10

7
Jumper the Bank 1 HO2S 1 high and low (PCM side) signal circuits to a ground.
Monitor the Bank 1 HO2S 1 voltage using the scan tool.
Does the scan tool indicate a voltage below specified value?
200 mV
Go to Step 12
Go to Step 11

8

Important
Determine and correct the cause of the contamination before replacing a sensor. Check for the following conditions:

Fuel contamination
Use of improper RTV sealant
Engine oil/coolant consumption

Replace the affected Heated Oxygen sensor. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Replacement .

Is the action complete?
--
Go to Step 13
--

9
Repair the condition as necessary.

Is the action complete?
--
Go to Step 13
--

10
Repair the open Bank 1 HO2S 1 low signal circuit or the grounded Bank 1 HO2S 1 high signal circuit. Refer to Body and Accessories/Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?
--
Go to Step 13
--

11
Repair the open Bank 1 HO2S 1 high signal circuit or the faulty PCM connections. Refer to Body and Accessories/Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?
--
Go to Step 13
--

12
Replace the Bank 1 HO2S 1. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Replacement .

Is the action complete?
--
Go to Step 13
--

13
Select the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) option and the Clear DTC Information option using the scan tool.
Idle the engine at the normal operating temperature.
Select the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) option and the Specific DTC option, then enter the DTC number using the scan tool.
Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Setting the DTC as specified in the supporting text, if applicable.
Does the scan tool indicate that this test ran and passed?
--
Go to Step 14
Go to Step 2

14
Select the Capture Info option and the Review Info option using the scan tool.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed?
--
Go to the applicable DTC table
System OK

 

Mine throws this code once in a while but, mine is most likely due to LT headers.
But, I can get rid of the code by installing new O2's. If your O2 are originals and there is no issue with your wiring. I would suggest replacing both front O2 sensors.

 

After installing LT headers recently I get Code P0161 right bank #2 O2 sensor. So very soon I will replace both rear sensors. Mine or original rears with 62k ON THEM.
sc5

 

Thanks for the responses. My car also has the LT HEADERS and is Lingenfelter Supercharged. The car only has 26,000 miles on it. If the sensors are not to expensive, I may just consider replacing them.