P0131, p0171, p0300 - fixed

Hi!

I've got a 2005 AV with aprox. 75000 miles on it.

The other day when I was driving the engine light came on and just before that I noticed really large amount of exhaust.
I do not know if I am imagining this beacuse the temperature outside was ~-13F (-25C) and the exhaust are really visible in that temperature. The exhaust were white as snow.

Anyways I slowed down a bit and continued home. I went online to read on the forum and in the owners manual and found out that there are many possible fault that could turn the CEL on. I went out and noticed the rpm dropping to almost stalling at stops when in gear. I saw sooty exhaust and could smell carbon.  Turned off the engine.

I Ordered a simple ELM327 USB OBD2 scanner online and waited for it to arrive.

Read the codes a couple of days later and they were as posted above.
Went on by checking live data from the scanner and saw that the Bank 1 sensor  1 was putting out 0.0 Volts.

I drove my car to my garage and right now it sits there until I get my sensor from the US.

I'm a carpenter and have never been great at cars but I do know how to read =)
If this forum would'nt exist I would not have a clue what might be wrong with my car.
It would probarbly cost about 200 bucks just to get the codes read and another 400-500 to get the sensor changed. 

This forum is great, and I use it alot. 

I hope it is the sensor and not the intake manifold gasget, vacuum hose, injectors or a plugged cat.
And I hope I did not hurt the cat by driving with a faulty sensor. I drove aprox. 8-10 miles with CEL on.
When driving to the garage (1 mile) the light was flashing indicating some ignition problem, probarbly due to heavy amount of gasoline being injected hence the sooty exhust.

Do I need to change or clean the  spark plugs? I've bought some injection cleaner to put in the tank.

I Will keep you posted. Will take some pics of the sensor.
BTW - Do I need the pull the drive shaft to reach the sensor?

Update:

Removed my front left oxygen sensor yesterday. I rattles when i shake it, and it's sooty.
I dismounted the front axle to reach the connector of the sensor, pretty hard to do with one hand and there's not enough room to fit them both up there.

And while I was under the car I changed the rear universal joint on the rear axle, check it out in the "Original Rear axle U joint with 75000 miles on it"

Still awaiting delivery from rockauto, not the best times to expect a package now around new years.

Will post again. Happy new year to you all!

Good luck and keep us informed as your write ups are very informing to others.

I need some help here. Is there a Clip missing? 
It sure looks like there should be a clip of some kinds, there is one on the other side and on all other airhoses.

Yes there should be a metal band there like at the other end.

Thanks!

However after I posted this thread I made a search on google and found 0 engine bays on Avalanches on the net that has a metal clip.

But thank you anyway!

My search will continue, maybe It's just the O2 sensor. Hopefully I will get mine tomorrow.

Just replaced the O2 sensor (bosch 15284) from rockauto I got yesterday.

That did it.

No Check Engine Light (CEL) and no other codes and the live data from the OBD2 are reading about the same values on both banks now. Some minor difference on the new one but I guess thats due to the facts it is, guess what - new =)

Will post some pictures tonight but it is a real easy job replacing the O2 sensor.

Thanks for all the help, this forum is awesome.

Edit: Added pictures.

This is where the O2 Sensor 1 Bank 1 is located. Just by the front drive shaft. I removed the 4 bolts holding the U-joint of the axle and then you have to pull it towards the back of the truck a little bit to get it loose. After you've done that you can just place it out of your way to reach the connector of the O2 sensor.


This is the connector. I broke the black pin off holding it in place. After you've done that you must pull a "safety pin" to get the two parts to separate.


OR, if you have small hands maybe you can release the connector from the black pin by doing like this, while still on the truck ofcourse.


Old Sensor:


New sensor: Bosch 15284


Just screw the sensor in place (it's already lubricated from manufacturer) Reconnect.


Don't forget the four bolts to the drive shaft 

I think you can use the avalanche as a fire truck, it carries a lot of water. I think I had 200 litres of water in snow underneith it. Had to use a whole lot of sawdust 

Nice wood shop!

Thanks! I build and sell greenhouses in there but not too much too do in the winter so I work on the AV instead

Somni,

Thanks for the great write up and photos, it help me accomplish the O2 sensor replacement.

I had codes:  P0131, P0171, P0300 and a rough running engine.

I was able to remove the existing O2 sensor with an opened ended 22mm wrench, versus a need for a O2 sensor socket.

I used a very long flat tip screw driver to pry off the wire connection/plug above the drive-shaft.  And then with much contortion, I was able to connect the plug of the new sensor.  I did not have to drop the front drive shaft.

(although if I had a lift and an impact wrench it may be easier then the contortions.  I am 6'6 280 lbs, and was able to get my arm/hand up to connect the plug.)