P0131
O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Bank 1, Sensor 1)
The upstream oxygen sensor signal is fixed at a low voltage, indicating the ECU sees a continuously lean exhaust on bank 1 — or the sensor signal path is shorted to ground.
- Check engine light: Yes
- Emissions related: Yes
- Repair difficulty: medium
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Increased fuel consumption
- Possible rough idle or hesitation
- Failed emissions test
Common causes
Ordered by how often each turns out to be the cause.
- Exhaust leak upstream of the sensorCommon
- Signal wire shorted to groundPossible
- Genuine lean running (vacuum leak, low fuel pressure)Possible
Parts involved
- Oxygen Sensor Upstream
- Exhaust Pipe Pre Cat
P0131 is a generic OBD-II code defined by SAE J2012. Exact wording and diagnostic procedure vary by manufacturer and model. Code definitions are drawn from the public-domain OBDex dataset; the workshop notes are our own.