This trouble code is a generic powertrain code that is applied to the OBD-II generated vehicles such as Dodge, Ram, Toyota, and Honda. If any error code is generated in your vehicle, you can detect it by the check engine light that gets illuminated by these errors. There are many factors due to which different error codes are generated in the vehicle. Take your vehicle to a professional and try to solve the reason for that error code P013E.
Definition of the P013E error code
The technical definition of the P013E error code is Oxygen Sensor Delayed Response – Rich to Lean (Bank 1, Sensor 2). It can be elaborated as the powertrain control module (PCM) perceives a delay in response from the downstream oxygen sensor located in bank 1.
Meaning of the P013E error code
Automotive oxygen sensors are constructed using zirconium dioxide sensing elements, and these are protected by specially designed vented steel housing. Platinum electrodes attach the sensing element to the wire leads in the Oxygen sensor wiring harness that is attached to the PCM through the controlled area network. Electrical signals are supplied to the PCM in respective of oxygen particle in the engine exhaust to the oxygen particles in the ambient air.
The generated exhaust gases are pushed into the exhaust manifold where they can flow through upstream Oxygen sensors. These gases flow through the oxygen sensors vent holes and the ambient air is drawn through the wire leads cavities and trapped in the small chamber of the sensor. The trapped air is heated using exhaust and forces the oxygen ions to produce the voltage.
If the oxygen sensors delays to cycle regularly over a set time frame the, P013E code is generated, and the check engine light is illuminated.
Possible reasons for the P013E error code
Many factors lead to the generation of the P013B error code, some of them are:
- Defaults in oxygen sensors
- Burnt, broken, or damaged connectors
- Defects in catalytic convertor
- Leakage in exhaust engine
- Problem in wirings
- Engine running in too rich or too lean mode
Possible symptoms of P013E error code
There are different symptoms in your vehicle if your vehicle is triggered with P013E error code:
- Check engine light illuminates
- Performance of engine lowers
- Failed fuel economy
- Other DTCs may be generated
The severity of the P013E error code
P013E code means that an O2 sensor has delayed in the response, so it should be categorized as severe.
How to diagnose the P013B error code?
If your vehicle is facing some issues, then you should take your vehicle to the mechanics for the diagnosis of the error code. They will follow these steps:
- They will do the visual inspection of the sensor and all connected wirings and harness to check for any faults. If they detect any faults in the wirings or the connectors, repair or replace them.
- After the visual inspection, they will measure the heater resistance in the oxygen sensor.
- For measuring the resistance of the oxygen sensors they will unplug the connector for the oxygen sensor and will use the multimeter to measure the resistance, of all the across heater terminals.
- Then they will measure the resistance of the wiring from the ECM to the oxygen sensor plug if the sensor is diagnosed with no error.
- If all the checks are completed and no error is diagnosed, then the most probable problem can be with the Engine Control Module itself. The primary function of the ECM is to activate and grounds the heater circuit. The error can be in the circuit; the contacts of the ECM can be burnt which can cause a higher resistance reading. This would cause the P013E error code to be generated.
How to fix the error code P013E?
There is not any single solution to fix the P013E error code, but you can follow these steps to rectify the generated error code:
- Replace the Oxygen Sensor
- Replace or repair the Faulty Wirings and Connectors
- Replace or repair faulty PCM/ECM
If your vehicle is diagnosed with a P013E error code, it is recommended to take your vehicle to the mechanics and rectify the error.