Oxygen sensor fuse keeps geting blown.Any ideas?

blitz28179 · October 30, 2013

Well after getting a 02 oxygen sensor check engine light I decided to go monday to buy a oxygen sensor at advance auto.I was gonna take a
chance and guess passenger side.I could never get passenger side sensor
off.Its really in a tough area where its hard to reach with a standard
sized tool.So I jumped over to driver side.It was alot easier to reach so
changed it with new sensor.After installing driver side sensor I am
still getting check engine light and ALOT more hesitation/stalling.My
check engine light blinks when the truck starts stalling.My check engine
blinked alot more than it ever has.So now I am getting worried so
tuesday morning I decided to take it to a mechanic in my area to install other
oxygen sensor on passenger side .I stayed with the guy and watched
him.Well before he changed the passenger side he checked my fuse box.The
fuse for the oxygen sensor was blown.He installed a new fuse and it
blew too.He climbs under truck to unplug both senors and puts another
fuse in.After turning switch it blows too. So he thinks my oxygen
sensors are good that I have something wrong with wiring from fusebox to
the end of the plugs.Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

Edited October 31, 2013 by blitz28179

txab · October 30, 2013

More info about the vehicle please. And yes, check all wiring. Sounds like a short.

Edited October 30, 2013 by txab

blitz28179 · October 31, 2013

More info about the vehicle please. And yes, check all wiring. Sounds like a short.

2009 GMC sierra 1500 V-6

What could be casuing it to short?

Edited October 31, 2013 by blitz28179

txab · October 31, 2013

What is the exact code you're pulling from the ecm? There should be no "guessing" as to what O2 sensor is throwing the code. The code number tells you exactly which sensor is throwing codes

Black2011 · November 3, 2013

definitely a short. Find which wire is shorted and repair.

efritz · November 3, 2013

Well, since you are on this forum I assume you have some Vortec powered V8 in a GM truck, so let's say you have 4 O2 sensors, If you only unplugged 2 the problem may be in the others. Second, the transmission pigggybacks off of the O2 sensor circuit if you have a 99-07 4l60e, so if you have issues there it may be causing the issue. You might try unplugging the tranny to see if the fuse still blows when the ignition is turned on to eliminate a factor, otherwise it is likely a wiring issue.

Wires · November 5, 2013

I know some of the O2 sensors (I'd assume the same on this truck) have built heaters to heat the element. Could be a bad O2 sensor blowing the fuse.

Britney Link · November 15, 2022

On 11/3/2013 at 1:13 AM, efritz said:

Well, since you are on this forum I assume you have some Vortec powered V8 in a GM truck, so let's say you have 4 O2 sensors, If you only unplugged 2 the problem may be in the others. Second, the transmission pigggybacks off of the O2 sensor circuit if you have a 99-07 4l60e, so if you have issues there it may be causing the issue. You might try unplugging the tranny to see if the fuse still blows when the ignition is turned on to eliminate a factor, otherwise it is likely a wiring issue.

So your saying to unplug transmission wires only to check if fuse blows not to crank only light on on dash correct?