DTC P0134: O2S1 Circuit - Insufficient Activity: Description

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2001 Saturn SW2, 2001 Saturn SL2, 2001 Saturn SL1, 2001 Saturn SL, and 2001 Saturn SC2. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Oxygen Sensor 1 (O2S1) is an electrical source that responds to oxygen content in exhaust manifold. When sensor reaches approximately 600°F (316°C), it produces a voltage bases on difference in oxygen between atmosphere and exhaust gas. PCM sends a bias voltage (391-491 millivolts) on signal line which is pulled up through high resistance. When O2S1 is cold, it produces no voltage and has extremely high resistance. Internal resistance of sensor is much greater than resistance of bias pull-up resistor. When sensor heats up, it produces voltage that overrides bias voltage. This voltage is read by PCM to determine a rich/lean O2S1 signal used to adjust injector pulse width. Under normal conditions, low sensor voltage means high oxygen content/lean air/fuel mixture and vice versa. Normal sensor readings will fluctuate 10-999 millivolts. DTC sets when O2S1 signal is inactive, not fluctuating out of 391-491 millivolt range.