I just got this error code (P0133 O2 Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 1 Sensor 1)
This is after some problems that I thought were exhaust related. Is the slow response a O2 sensor problem or an electrical one? Also what does the "Bank 1 Sensor 1" part mean. All help will be appreciated. Thx in advance...

 

A slow responce O2 sensor usually means it is a sensor problem. As the sensor gets some age on it and towards the end of its live, its reaction time tend to slow down. The sensor should be able to switch from lean to rich in around 100 mil/sec and vice versa.

Bank one sensor one means that the 1st bank of cylinders, if it is a four cylinder it only has one bank or if it is a v6 or v8 it is the side of the enigne that sticks out the farthest at the front of the engine.(usaually the one starting with the #1 cylinder) Sensor one means it is the 1st sensor in the exhaust system. Usually a vehicle can have from 2 to 4 O2 sensor in the exhasut system.

The only way to actually check the O2 sensor is to hook up a scan tool and read actual reaction times.

How many mile on your motor? They say that a O2 sensor will usually last from 50,000 to 100,000 miles depending on application and vehicle.

 

You can test the operation of an O2 sensor. I don't remember the procedure off the top of my head, but am pretty sure it is in the Haynes manual.
Might be able to Google it also.

OBTW:
as mentioned, Bank 1 is always the side with the number 1 cylinder.
(Passenger's side in the 4.2)

 

Thanks for the replies. I did see a test in the Haynes to measure the V on the sensor so that's where I'll start. Also I have been getting a #1 misfire error on/off so I hope the two are related somehow? Thanks again...

 

Well I removed the O2 sensor from the passenger side exhaust (it was the only one I could get to) and it did have some black debris on it which I removed. I also replaced the #1 plug wire which had obvious breaks (using a ohmmeter) in it. Haven't driven it much since (it's freezing here in San Antonio so all the roads are closed) but let it sit and idle for about 20 minutes and no codes have popped up. When I warmed it up before it would pop up a #1 misfire within the first 5 minutes, followed closely by the O2 slow response code, so I'm crossing my fingers this took care of it. Thx again for the inputs...

69deville