Engine-Codes - Ford - P0050 Ford

P0050 Ford Code - HO2S Heater Control Circuit Bank 2 Sensor 1

- Code Popularity: 20,189 Views
- Repair Importance Level: 2/3
- Repair Difficulty Level: 2/3
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What are the Possible Causes of the DTC P0050 Ford?

NOTE: The causes shown may not be a complete list of all potential problems, and it is possible that there may be other causes.
  • Faulty Universal Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 2 Sensor 1 (HO2S21)
  • Universal Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 2 Sensor 1 circuit open shorted to ground
  • Universal Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 2 Sensor 1 circuit poor electrical connection
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How to Fix the DTC P0050 Ford?

Check the 'Possible Causes' listed above. Visually inspect the related wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and look for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded connector pins.

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What is the Cost to Diagnose the Code?

Labor: 1.0

The cost to diagnose the P0050 Ford code is 1.0 hour of labor. The diagnosis time and labor rates at auto repair shops vary depending on the location, make and model of the vehicle, and even the engine type. Most auto repair shops charge between $75 and $150 per hour.

What are Code Possible Symptoms?

  • Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)

What Does the P0050 Ford Code Mean?

The universal HO2S, sometimes referred to as a wideband oxygen sensor, uses the typical HO2S combined with a current controller in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to infer an air to fuel ratio relative to the stoichiometric air to fuel ratio. This is accomplished by balancing the amount of oxygen ions pumped in or out of a measurement chamber within the sensor. The typical HO2S within the universal HO2S detects the oxygen content of the exhaust gas in the measurement chamber. The oxygen content inside the measurement chamber is maintained at the stoichiometric air to fuel ratio by pumping oxygen ions in and out of the measurement chamber. As the exhaust gasses get richer or leaner, the amount of oxygen that must be pumped in or out to maintain a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio in the measurement chamber varies in proportion to the air to fuel ratio. The amount of current required to pump the oxygen ions in or out of the measurement chamber is used to measure the air to fuel ratio. The measured air to fuel ratio is actually the output from the current controller in the PCM and not a signal that comes directly from the sensor.
The universal HO2S also uses a self contained reference chamber to make sure an oxygen differential is always present. The oxygen for the reference chamber is supplied by pumping small amounts of oxygen ions from the measurement chamber into the reference chamber. The universal HO2S does not need access to outside air.
Part to part variance is compensated for by placing a resistor in the connector. This resistor trims the current measured by the current controller in the PCM.
The universal HO2S heater is embedded with the sensing element allowing the engine to enter closed loop operation sooner. The heating element heats the sensor to a temperature of 780°C to 830°C (1,436°F to 1,526°F).
The PCM controls the universal Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 2, Sensor 1 (HO2S21) heater ON and OFF duty cycle to maintain a calibrated temperature. This Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) is set when the sensor does not warm up to the required temperature in a calibrated amount of time. This DTC is also set when the PCM is not able to maintain the required temperature after the sensor is warmed.
P0050 Ford Code - HO2S Heater Control Circuit Bank 2 Sensor 1

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