P0159
- Powertrain
- Generic (SAE)
- Emissions
- Safety
Stop driving
Continuing to drive risks injury or major mechanical damage. Shut the engine off when it is safe to do so.
O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 2 Sensor 2)
This code is in our catalogue but has not yet been through editorial review, so the guidance below is limited to what our structured data supports. We publish deeper diagnostic content only after a code has been reviewed — here is why.
The ECU detects an abnormally high voltage from the downstream O2 sensor on bank 2. Indicates persistently rich exhaust past the cat, shorted sensor or wiring shorted to voltage.
A trouble code records what a control module measured. It does not identify which part failed. Test before replacing anything.
- Safe to drive
- Continuing to drive risks injury or major mechanical damage. Shut the engine off when it is safe to do so.
- Urgency
- Stop driving
- Will it pass emissions
- No
- Check engine light
- Solid
- Clearing the light
- A completed drive cycle is normally required before the monitor re-runs and the light can clear.
- Increased fuel consumption
- Possible rough idle or hesitation
Many vehicles show no symptom at all beyond the warning light. The absence of a symptom does not mean the fault is not real.
| # | Cause | How often | Component |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rich condition on bank 2 | Very common | — |
| 2 | Signal wire shorted to voltage | Common | — |
| 3 | Connector pins corroded - high contact resistance | Occasional | — |
Ordering reflects how often each cause is responsible in general, not a probability for your vehicle. Confirm by testing.
- Oxygen Sensor B2s2
- Oxygen Sensor Wiring
- Definition
- Generic code set (SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6) via the OBDexopen database, dedicated to the public domain under CC0-1.0.
- Diagnostic guidance
- Written and reviewed in-house. See our editorial policy.
- Review status
- Awaiting review
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