P0167 medium Severity

P0167: O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2, Sensor 3)

Check Engine Light illuminated; potential reduced fuel efficiency and emissions performance; generally does not prevent vehicle operation.

Overview

P0167 indicates a malfunction in the oxygen sensor heater circuit on Bank 2 Sensor 3, often due to heater element failure, wiring issues, blown fuse, or connector damage.

Common Symptoms

  • Check Engine Light (MIL) illuminated
  • Reduced fuel efficiency
  • Rough idle or hesitation (especially on cold start)
  • Possible failed emissions inspection

Most Common Causes

Faulty oxygen sensor heater element high

Internal heater failure in the Bank 2 Sensor 3 oxygen sensor can cause open or out-of-spec resistance.

Wiring harness open or shorted high

Damaged, corroded, or chafed wires/connectors in the heater circuit interrupt power/ground.

Blown fuse or power supply issue to heater circuit medium

A blown fuse can interrupt power to the heater; must verify root cause to prevent repeat failures.

Corroded or loose sensor connector medium

Poor electrical contact at the sensor harness can mimic heater circuit failure.

PCM/ECM control fault low

Rare control module failure or software error affecting heater drive circuit.

Diagnostic Steps

  1. Confirm presence of P0167 using an OBD-II scanner and note any additional related codes.
    Expected: P0167 active; other related codes may appear (e.g., P0166, P0168).
    Interpretation: Verifies code and checks for simultaneous faults.
  2. Perform a visual inspection of the Bank 2 Sensor 3 oxygen sensor harness and connector.
    Expected: Look for damaged, frayed wires, corrosion, or loose pins.
    Interpretation: Physical damage supports wiring/connector cause.
  3. Check for proper power supply (approx. 12 V) to the heater circuit with ignition on.
    Expected: Battery voltage present at heater power terminal.
    Interpretation: No voltage indicates power supply or fuse issue.
  4. Measure resistance of the oxygen sensor heater element with a multimeter.
    Expected: Resistance within manufacturer specification (~5-14 ohms typical).
    Interpretation: Out-of-spec or infinite resistance indicates faulty heater or open circuit.
  5. Check and replace any blown fuses related to the heater circuit.
    Expected: Fuse intact; if blown, replace after diagnosing root cause.
    Interpretation: Fuse issues point to short or internal sensor fault.
  6. If all above tests pass, evaluate PCM/ECM output using advanced scan tool.
    Expected: Proper commanded heater operation.
    Interpretation: Abnormal results may indicate control module issue.

Repair Solutions

Replace faulty oxygen sensor Bank 2 Sensor 3 medium
Estimated Cost: $70 - $250

OEM quality sensor recommended to ensure correct heater resistance specifications.

Repair or replace damaged wiring/connectors medium
Estimated Cost: $30 - $150

Cost varies based on extent of wiring harness repair needed.

Replace blown fuse and address underlying short easy
Estimated Cost: $5 - $50

Verify circuit first to avoid repeated fuse failures.

PCM/ECM reprogram or replacement hard
Estimated Cost: $300 - $1200

Only when confirmed by advanced diagnostics; rare.

Common Misdiagnoses

Avoid these common diagnostic mistakes:

  • Assuming upstream O2 sensor failure instead of downstream heater circuit issue
  • Replacing sensor without checking wiring and fuses first
  • Blaming unrelated engine performance codes without correlating live data

Frequently Asked Questions

Technical definition of P0167 OBD-II Code

When your OBD-II scanner reads P0167, it means: O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2, Sensor 3). This code is related to the vehicle's Sensors.

Is it safe to drive with a P0167 code?

You should treat P0167 as a medium issue. Check Engine Light illuminated; potential reduced fuel efficiency and emissions performance; generally does not prevent vehicle operation.

Common signs of the P0167 error code

Common symptoms include: Check Engine Light (MIL) illuminated, Reduced fuel efficiency, Rough idle or hesitation (especially on cold start). You might also notice the Check Engine Light is on.

What parts fail when P0167 is set?

This code is frequently triggered by: Faulty oxygen sensor heater element, Wiring harness open or shorted, Blown fuse or power supply issue to heater circuit.

How much does it cost to fix P0167?

The cost varies significantly based on the root cause. For example, replacing a Replace blown fuse and address underlying short typically costs between $5 and $50, while fixing a PCM/ECM reprogram or replacement can range from $300 to $1200.

Does P0167 affect Ford, Toyota, or Honda?

P0167 is not specific to any one brand. It can appear on Ford, Dodge, Toyota, Honda, Jeep, and other vehicles.

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