P2271 means O2 Sensor Signal Biased/Stuck Rich (Bank 1 Sensor 2). The downstream oxygen sensor on bank 1, after the catalytic converter, is reading rich and not switching as expected when the computer changes the fuel mixture. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P2271 means
Oxygen sensors measure the oxygen left in the exhaust. Sensor 1 sits before the catalytic converter and is used for fuel control; sensor 2 sits after it and mainly monitors the converter. Most sensors have a heater so they start working soon after a cold start. A traditional zirconia sensor switches between about 0.1 volt (lean) and 0.9 volt (rich); many newer upstream sensors are wide-band air-fuel sensors that report differently, so check which type your engine uses.
P2271 symptoms
- Check engine light
- Usually no change in how the engine runs
- Possible poor fuel economy
Common causes of P2271
- Failed downstream sensor
- Engine actually running rich: leaking injector or high fuel pressure
- Sensor signal wire shorted to voltage
- Coolant or oil contamination of the sensor
How to diagnose P2271
- Check for exhaust leaks near the sensor
- Watch the sensor voltage on a scan tool while snapping the throttle
- Check fuel trims for a real lean or rich condition
- Inspect the wiring and connector
Can you drive with P2271?
Usually yes; check fuel trims so a real fuel problem is not ignored.
P2271 tips
If fuel trims are strongly negative, the engine may really be running rich; fix that before replacing the sensor.
Will P2271 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P2271 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0138 | O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 1 Sensor 2) |
| P0172 | System Too Rich (Bank 1) |
| P2270 | O2 Sensor Signal Biased/Stuck Lean (Bank 1 Sensor 2) |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
Oxygen sensor codes are fixed with a sensor, wiring, a fuse or an exhaust leak repair. An engine burning oil or coolant contaminates sensors quickly; if new sensors keep failing, check for blue or white exhaust smoke and a head gasket leak, and compare engines by code on our engines page if the engine is worn out.
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