AutoCodes – Generic – P013C

P013C Code - Oxygen Sensor Slow Response Rich to Lean Bank 2 Sensor 2

Quick Answer

The Heated Oxygen Sensors (HO2S) are used for fuel control and catalyst monitoring. Common causes include Faulty Heated Oxygen Bank 2 Sensor 2, Heated Oxygen Bank 2 Sensor 2 harness is open or shorted, Heated Oxygen Bank 2 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: P013C indicates Oxygen Sensor Slow Response Rich to Lean Bank 2 Sensor 2.
Common causes: Common causes include Faulty Heated Oxygen Bank 2 Sensor 2, Heated Oxygen Bank 2 Sensor 2 harness is open or shorted, Heated Oxygen Bank 2 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.

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Code Popularity 32,282

How popular is this code, among other codes? Low

Repair Importance Level

Moderate (Service soon) (2 / 3)

Repair Difficulty Level

Intermediate (2 / 3)

What is this?

Table of contents Created and updated by William Orellana on May 28, 2022

Description
Possible Causes
How To Fix
Tech Notes ▶
Cost to Diagnose
FAQs
Comments
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Code P013C Description

The Heated Oxygen Sensors (HO2S) are used for fuel control and catalyst monitoring. Each HO2S compares the oxygen content of the surrounding air with the oxygen content of the exhaust stream. When the engine is started, the Engine Control Module (ECM) operates in an Open Loop mode, ignoring the HO2S signal voltage while calculating the air-to-fuel ratio. While the engine runs, the HO2S heats up and begins to generate a voltage within a range of 0 - 1, 000 mV. Once sufficient HO2S voltage fluctuation is observed by the ECM, Closed Loop is entered. The ECM uses the HO2S voltage to determine the air-to-fuel ratio. An HO2S voltage that increases toward 1, 000 mV indicates a rich fuel mixture. An HO2S voltage that decreases toward 0 mV indicates a lean fuel mixture.
The heating elements inside each HO2S heat the sensor to bring the sensor up to operating conditions faster. This allows the system to enter Closed Loop earlier and the ECM to calculate the air-to-fuel ratio sooner.
The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) will be set when the ECM detects that the accumulated mass airflow monitored during rich-to-lean transitions between 450 - 150 mV is greater than calibrated value.

OBDII Code P013C - Oxygen Sensor Slow Response Rich to Lean Bank 2 Sensor 2 - AutoCodes.com — P013C Code - Oxygen Sensor Slow Response Rich to Lean Bank 2 Sensor 2

What does this mean?

What are the Possible Causes of the DTC P013C?

Faulty Heated Oxygen Bank 2 Sensor 2
Heated Oxygen Bank 2 Sensor 2 harness is open or shorted
Heated Oxygen Bank 2 Sensor 2 circuit poor electrical connection
Low or high fuel system pressure
Fuel contamination
Faulty fuel injectors
Exhaust gas leaks
Engine vacuum leaks

How to Fix the DTC P013C?

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.

What does this mean?

Code Tech Notes

Replacing the Rear Heated Oxygen Sensors (HO2S) usually takes care of the problem.

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What is the Cost to Diagnose the Code?

Labor: 1.0

To diagnose the P013C 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.

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Information for Specific Makes

P013C Buick — HO2S Slow Response Rich to Lean Bank 2 Sensor 2
P013C Cadillac — HO2S Slow Response Rich to Lean Bank 2 Sensor 2
P013C Chevrolet — HO2S Slow Response Rich to Lean Bank 2 Sensor 2
P013C Ford — Oxygen Sensor Slow Response Rich to Lean Bank 2 Sensor 2
P013C GMC — HO2S Slow Response Rich to Lean Bank 2 Sensor 2
P013C Lincoln — Oxygen Sensor Slow Response Rich to Lean Bank 2 Sensor 2
P013C Mercury — Oxygen Sensor Slow Response Rich to Lean Bank 2 Sensor 2
P013C Pontiac — HO2S Slow Response Rich to Lean Bank 2 Sensor 2
P013C Saturn — HO2S Slow Response Rich to Lean Bank 2 Sensor 2

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 P013C Code

1. What does the OBDII code P013C indicate?

P013C indicates that the oxygen sensor in Bank 2 Sensor 2 is responding more slowly than expected when transitioning from a rich to lean condition. This sensor is typically located downstream of the catalytic converter.

2. What are the common symptoms of code P013C?

Common symptoms include a check engine light, poor fuel economy, rough engine idle, and possibly a noticeable drop in engine performance.

3. What causes the OBDII code P013C?

Possible causes include a faulty oxygen sensor, exhaust leaks, issues with the fuel injection system, or a malfunctioning catalytic converter.

4. How can I fix the OBDII code P013C?

Repairs might involve replacing the oxygen sensor, repairing any exhaust leaks, checking the fuel system for issues, or in some cases, replacing the catalytic converter.

5. Is it safe to drive with the OBDII code P013C?

While you can typically still drive the vehicle, it is advisable to address the issue soon to avoid potential long-term damage to the engine or catalytic converter.

6. How is the OBDII code P013C diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves using a scan tool to read the freeze frame data and live engine parameters, inspecting the oxygen sensor and its wiring, and checking for exhaust leaks or issues with the fuel system.

7. What tools are needed to diagnose code P013C?

Tools needed may include an OBDII scanner, digital voltmeter, and possibly a smoke machine for detecting exhaust leaks.

8. Can a faulty oxygen sensor cause other problems in the vehicle?

Yes, a faulty oxygen sensor can lead to incorrect fuel-air mixtures, which can increase emissions, reduce fuel efficiency, and potentially damage the catalytic converter.

9. How often do oxygen sensors fail, leading to issues like P013C?

Oxygen sensors typically have a service life of 60,000 to 100,000 miles, but their lifespan can vary based on factors like fuel quality and engine condition.