P0136 on Chevrolet: How to Diagnose & Fix
O2 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 2)
1 Chevrolet model · 1 documented issue · $100-$300 repair
P0136 on Chevrolet by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
The 1998-2002 Prizm 1.8L shares its engine and oxygen-sensor diagnostics with the 1.8L Toyota Corolla of those years. A failing sensor heater turns on the check engine light and sets a heater-circuit code. P0135 points to the heater in the upstream sensor, which sits before the catalytic converter. P0141 points to the heater in the downstream sensor, which sits after the converter. The heater gets the sensor to its working temperature (about 600°F) quickly so the engine can switch to closed-loop fuel control. A failed heater slows that down. Oxygen sensors usually cannot be repaired, so a sensor with a failed heater has to be replaced. Many owners of these Prizms also report that the engine burns oil, sometimes a quart every few hundred miles with no visible smoke. Burning oil can damage the catalytic converter, so check oil use whenever you replace a sensor.
Common Symptoms
- Check engine light with P0135 (upstream) or P0141 (downstream) heater code
- Poor fuel economy
- Rough idle
- Failed emissions test
How to Fix
1) Read the codes. P0135 means the upstream (front) sensor heater circuit, and P0141 means the downstream (rear) one. Replace only the sensor the code names. 2) Before you buy a sensor, test the circuit at the upstream connector on the harness side with the key on and the engine off. The repair guide says the heater power wire and the heater wire that runs to the engine computer should each read about 10-12 V. If either reading is missing, repair the wiring, because a new sensor will not fix it. 3) With the sensor cold, measure the resistance across its heater terminals. About 11-16 ohms is normal. An open reading (OL) or more than 10 kilohms means the heater has failed and the sensor has to be replaced. Check the connector pinout and wire colors for your Prizm before testing. 4) Replace it with an OEM-quality heated sensor, such as Denso or NTK, made for the correct position. 5) Check how much oil the engine uses between changes. If it burns oil, replace the PCV valve and clean the PCV hose first. Owners and mechanics also blame carbon-stuck oil-control rings on this engine. Fix oil burning soon, because it can ruin the catalytic converter.
What you need to diagnose it
The repair instructions explicitly call for reading stored codes. Use a scanner that can read the named code families before choosing a repair.The recommended scanner supports these code families; confirm your exact year, model and module coverage before buying.
ANCEL AD310 Classic OBD-II Scanner
Read & clear engine (P) codes
$20–$40View
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Reading and clearing the code is DIY work. Module replacement or reprogramming is not — most modules are VIN-programmed, so a new one does nothing until a shop codes it to your car. Check for an open recall or service bulletin before buying anything.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Oxygen SensorCross-ref13051
Fitment confirmed against the ShowMeTheParts catalog for this vehicle's year and engine.
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Sources for this issue (5)
- EricTheCarGuy - P0141/P0135 O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunctionother
- Front Oxygen Sensor Heater Test - P0135 (1998-2002 1.8L Toyota Corolla / Chevrolet Prizm)repair-guide
- P0135 heater circuit and heater resistance tests (1998-2002 1.8L Corolla/Prizm)repair-guide
- 2001 Chevy Prizm LSi - Burns Tons of Oil (Car Talk Community)forum
- 2002 Chevrolet Prizm excessive oil consumption complaints (CarComplaints)owner-reports
P0136 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P0136 mean on a Chevrolet?
P0136 stands for "O2 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 2)." This code indicates a malfunction in the downstream oxygen sensor circuit for bank 1, sensor 2 — the O2 sensor located after the catalytic converter on the engine side containing cylinder 1. This rear sensor's main job is to monitor how well the catalytic converter is working by checking the oxygen content of the cleaned exhaust. The computer sets this code when the sensor's signal is out of range, implausible, stuck, or its circuit appears faulty. It generally points to the downstream sensor, its wiring or heater circuit, or an exhaust leak, rather than an immediate engine performance problem. On Chevrolet it is documented across 1 model: Prizm.
What are the most common causes of P0136?
The most common causes of P0136 are: Failed or aged downstream oxygen sensor, Damaged O2 sensor wiring, connector, or heater circuit, Exhaust leak near the rear sensor, Open or short in the sensor heater power supply, Corrosion or poor connection at the sensor connector, Contaminated sensor (oil, coolant, or fuel additives), Faulty engine control module (rare). The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0136 on a Chevrolet?
Published repair estimates on Chevrolet range from $100 to $300 depending on the model and root cause. If an issue mentions a recall or campaign, check your VIN with the manufacturer or NHTSA and confirm eligibility and coverage with a dealer.
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Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.