AutoCodes – Pontiac – P0036 Pontiac

P0036 Pontiac Code - HO2S Heater Control Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2

Quick Answer

Heated Oxygen Sensors (HO2S) are used for fuel control and post catalyst monitoring. Common causes include Faulty Heated Oxygen Sensor (H2OS) Bank 1 Sensor 2, Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 2 harness is open shorted to ground, Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 2 circuit poor electrical connection. Severity is Moderate - service should be scheduled soon. The vehicle may still be drivable for short trips if it runs normally, but avoid hard driving and repair it soon.

What it means
P0036 Pontiac indicates HO2S Heater Control Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2.
Common causes
Common causes include Faulty Heated Oxygen Sensor (H2OS) Bank 1 Sensor 2, Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 2 harness is open shorted to ground, Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 2 circuit poor electrical connection.
Severity
Moderate - service should be scheduled soon.
Can I drive?
The vehicle may still be drivable for short trips if it runs normally, but avoid hard driving and repair it soon.
AI answers can be wrong. Verify repairs with testing. Open full chat
Code Popularity 19,541
How popular is this code, among other codes? Low
Table of contents Created and updated by William Orellana on Mar 23, 2024
πŸ’¬ Need more help? Ask Coddy for instant answers β€” it's free!

Code P0036 Pontiac Description

Heated Oxygen Sensors (HO2S) are used for fuel control and post catalyst monitoring. Each HO2S compares the oxygen content of the surrounding air with the oxygen content in the exhaust stream. The HO2S must reach an operating temperature to provide an accurate voltage signal. A heating element inside the HO2S minimizes the time required for the sensors to reach operating temperature. Voltage is provided to the heater by an ignition voltage circuit through a fuse. With the engine running, the ground is provided to the heater by the HO2S heater low control circuit through a low side driver within the Engine Control Module (ECM). The ECM uses Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to control the HO2S heater operation to maintain a specific HO2S operating temperature range.
The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) will be set when the ECM detects an open circuit in the heater output low side driver circuit of the heated oxygen sensor when the heater is commanded OFF for greater than 5 s.
OBDII Code P0036 Pontiac - HO2S Heater Control Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2 - AutoCodes.com
P0036 Pontiac Code - HO2S Heater Control Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2

What are the Possible Causes of the DTC P0036 Pontiac?

  • Faulty Heated Oxygen Sensor (H2OS) Bank 1 Sensor 2
  • Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 2 harness is open shorted to ground
  • Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 2 circuit poor electrical connection
  • Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 2 circuit fuse
  • Faulty Engine Control Module (ECM)

How to Fix the DTC P0036 Pontiac?

Review the 'Possible Causes' above and visually examine the corresponding wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and inspect connector pins for signs of being broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded.

Code Tech Notes

What is the Cost to Diagnose the Code?

Labor: 1.0

To diagnose the P0036 Pontiac code, it typically requires 1.0 hour of labor. Rates vary by location, vehicle, and shop. Many shops charge between $80–$150 per hour; dealerships and metro areas may be higher, independents may be lower.

Need more information about the P0036 Pontiac code?

Need more information on how to fix the P0036 Pontiac code? Get Access to Factory Service Manuals

Need Help with the Code?

Get the P0036 Pontiac code diagnosed by a professional: Find a repair shop in your area

About the author: William Orellana is a Master Mechanic and Mechanical Engineer with over 30 years of experience diagnosing and repairing vehicles. Learn more about his background.

Frequently Asked Questions about P0036 Pontiac Code

1. What does the OBDII code P0036 for Pontiac HO2S Heater Control Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2 mean?

- This code indicates a malfunction in the heating element control circuit of the downstream oxygen sensor in Bank 1 of your Pontiac's exhaust system.

2. What are common symptoms of OBDII code P0036 on a Pontiac?

- Common symptoms include poor fuel economy, rough idling, engine misfires, and the illumination of the check engine light on the dashboard.

3. What are the possible causes of OBDII code P0036 in a Pontiac?

- The most common causes of this code are a faulty oxygen sensor, damaged wiring or connectors in the sensor circuit, a blown fuse, or a problem with the engine control module (ECM).

4. How can I diagnose the issue related to OBDII code P0036 on my Pontiac?

- Diagnosis typically involves using a scan tool to read the code, testing the oxygen sensor's heater circuit with a multimeter, checking the sensor's wiring for continuity, and inspecting the fuse related to the sensor.

5. Can I drive my Pontiac with the OBDII code P0036 present?

- It is generally not recommended to drive your Pontiac with this code present, as it can lead to decreased fuel efficiency and potential damage to the catalytic converter over time.

6. How can I repair OBDII code P0036 on my Pontiac?

- Repair options may include replacing the Bank 1 Sensor 2 oxygen sensor, repairing or replacing damaged wiring or connectors, checking and replacing blown fuses, or addressing any ECM issues.

7. Will resetting the check engine light resolve OBDII code P0036 on my Pontiac?

- Resetting the check engine light may temporarily turn it off, but if the underlying issue causing the code is not addressed, the light is likely to come back on once the problem is detected again.

8. How much does it cost to fix OBDII code P0036 in a Pontiac?

- The cost of fixing this code can vary depending on the root cause of the issue, but it may range from around $100 to $300 for parts and labor, with the oxygen sensor being a common component needing replacement.

9. Can a DIY enthusiast repair OBDII code P0036 on a Pontiac?

- Depending on your skill level and access to tools, repairing this code yourself may be possible, especially for tasks like replacing the oxygen sensor or checking and repairing wiring issues.

10. How often does OBDII code P0036 occur in Pontiac vehicles?

- OBDII code P0036 is a relatively common issue in Pontiac vehicles, especially in older models or those with higher mileage, due to the wearing out of the oxygen sensor components over time.

Discuss the causes and fixes for P0036 Pontiac OBDII Code

  • hello,my question is,on the heating circuit,does the computer sends a continuous ground that its always present until the engine shuts off or the ecm presents this ground only as needed? i ask this because i can splice a known good ground wire to the oxygen sensor heating element ground side thereby solving the lack of ground at the harness thanks alot !

  • sorry,pontiac grand am 2002 v6 code is P0036 Thanks

  • Could you please double check the code, I have been trying to find more information, but the P0036 code is not listed in the factory service manual.

    The ECM does not send the ground. The sensor gets the ground from the body ground and the ECM sends power.

  • I have a Pontiac g6 2008.today I was listen to some music.when I got back the car.the radio stop working.I replace the fuse and it still WOULDNT work.So I had Auto zone test it.and code p0036,p0056,po122,po141,po161,p0223 and it was saying my heater control circuit sensor bank 1&2 plus heater performance bank 1&2.and a high voltage.Please help me,I need to no what's wrong before I have to go back to work on Monday.

  • I have a Pontiac g6 2008.today I was listen to some music.when I got back the car.the radio stop working.I replace the fuse and it still WOULDNT work.So I had Auto zone test it.and code p0036,p0056,po122,po141,po161,p0223 and it was saying my heater control circuit sensor bank 1&2 plus heater performance bank 1&2.and a high voltage.Please help me,I need to no what's wrong before I have to go back to work on Monday.

  • Did you had the codes (or engine light) before you replaced the fuse? Have you tried check the fuse installation? Start by checking all the fuses, and makes sure all the fuse are properly installed.

AutoCodes App

Fix Your Car Smarter

Try the New AutoCodes App!

Get complete OBDII diagnostics, repair solutions, and cost estimates, plus AI chat support on demand.

AutoCodes App on Google Play