I had the front two O2 sensors replaced with what are supposed to be one that have a hotter element or something. Anyway, long story short my car is now throwing P1133 and 1153 (insufficient switching, bank 1 and 2 sensor 1). What are the causes of this? Obviously the car is going back to the shop that did the tune and replacement, but I just want to know why it is throwing this code when they tuned the rest of the car correctly.


Thanks
Nick

 

From the manual, I highlighted in red some areas of interest below:

DTC P1133 HO2S Insufficient Switching Bank 1 Sensor 1

Circuit Description
The PCM monitors the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) activity for 100 seconds. During this monitor period, the PCM counts the number of times that the HO2S switches form rich to lean and lean to rich. When the PCM determines that the HO2S did not switch enough times, a DTC P1133 will set.

A lean to rich switch is determined when the HO2S voltage changes from less than 300 mV to greater than 600 mV. A rich to lean switch is determined when the HO2S voltage changes from more than 600 mV to less than 300 mV.

Conditions for Running the DTC
DTCs P0101, P0102, P0103, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0125, P0200, P0335, P0336, P0351-P0358, P1120, P1220, P1221, P1258 are not set.
This DTC only runs once an ignition cycle.
The system is operating in Closed Loop.
The engine is operating longer than 120 seconds.
The engine speed is greater than 1000 RPM but less than 2300 RPM.
The ignition voltage is greater than 9 volts.
The ECT is greater than 50°C (122°F).
The EVAP duty cycle is greater than 0 percent.
The MAF ranges between 20 g/s and 50 g/s.
Conditions for Setting the DTC
The PCM determines that within 100 seconds the HO2S lean to rich switches are less than 10 and rich to lean switches are less then 10.

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

Important
Remove any debris from the PCM connector surfaces before servicing the PCM. Inspect the PCM connector gaskets when diagnosing/replacing the module. Ensure that the gaskets are installed correctly. The gaskets prevent contaminate intrusion into the PCM.
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/component terminals. Refer to Using Connector Test Adapters in Wiring Systems.

Inspect the HO2S signal circuit for being shorted to a PCM ground. The HO2S signal circuit shorted to a PCM ground will not cause an HO2S low DTC to set, but will set a switching DTC.
A malfunction in the HO2S heater circuits will cause a DTC P1133 to set. Inspect the HO2S heater circuits for intermittent opens/connections.
An oxygen supply inside the HO2S is necessary for proper operation. This supply of oxygen is provided through the HO2S wires. All HO2S wires and connections should be inspected for breaks or contamination. Refer to Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
For an intermittent, 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.

When DTCs 1133 and P1153 are set at the same time, it is a good indication that a fuel contamination condition is present.

An exhaust leak 6-12 inches away from the HO2S can cause a DTC to set.
This step verifies whether a good ground circuit is available.

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

This step verifies 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.

 

I get the 1153 code every now and then since I installed headers a couple years ago. Research indicates to me that it is caused by the location of the sensors in the airstream. The sensors are located further aft with headers and therefore see different conditions than they would in the stock locations and therefore throw the lazy switching code. This seems to be common for cars with headers installed. A good tuner should may be able to tune these out , don't know.

 

Had the same 1153 issue now and then.

You could try wrapping the pass. header collector (start at the primaries just before they enter the collector and end at the O2 sensor) in effort to try to keep the exhaust hotter prior to reaching the sensor. I never tried this however.

The for sure cure is to have a tuner simply set the 1153 code to "#3 Not To Report"..... No more problems.

 

well there inlies the problem. The tuner put the O2's in and the car has already been back to see them once again. If I have to take it in AGAIN, this will be the third time. But if it is somethign they have to do then I will take it in, however if its something I can do then I am willing to try that.