1996 Ford Mustang MIL error code P0141

BRWILLMS

MEMBER
1996 FORD MUSTANG
V8
2WD
MANUAL
150,000 MILES

I have had a MIL for the o2 sensors on this car and finally decided to do something about it. I figured with 150000 miles on the car I might as well go ahead and replace all 4 O2 sensors. I replaced them with the correct Motorcraft front and rear sensors (all 3 part numbers). After about 2 days the mil came back on. It was the TPS (which I then replaced and cleared). 2 days later the MIL came back on with the P0141 code. (O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 2)). I have done some research and it seems that this code is not likely a bad O2 sensor. Can you make any recommendations as to where to start troubleshooting? Also, I am assuming bank one is the passenger side on a 96 mustang.

1 Reply

DAVE H

MECHANIC
13,383 POSTS

Step 30) DTC P0135, P0141, P0155 Or P0161: Check HO2S Heater Signal Circuit DTCs P0135, P0141, P0155 and P0161 received separately indicate a short to ground or open in HO2S heater circuit. DTCs received in pairs, such as P0135 and P0155 or P0141 and P0161, indicate HO2S heater signal circuit shorted to a power source greater than 2.0 volts. DTCs received in pairs with one downstream heater code and one upstream heater code are treated as the following separate codes.
DTC P0135 for right front HO2S.
DTC P0155 for left front HO2S.
DTC P0141 for right rear HO2S.
DTC P0161 for left rear HO2S.
Possible causes are as follows:
Signal shorted in wiring harness or HO2S.
Water in connectors.
Cut or pulled wires.
Open in PWR GND or VPWR circuit.
Inspect HO2S connectors for damage or poor connection. Repair or replace connectors as necessary. If HO2S connectors are okay, go to next step.