How serious is this DTC?
If the fault codes are ignored and no action has been taken to repair it, it could lead to catalytic converter failure. If the symptoms and causes of these fault codes are left unaddressed, it could result in further complications for your car, such as constant stalling and reduced fuel economy. If you notice any of the potential symptoms in the list below, it is highly recommended to have it checked by a professional.
What are some of the symptoms of the code?
Symptoms of a P2222 diagnostic code may include:
- Intermittent stalling
- Engine not starting when hot
- Decreased engine performance
- During acceleration, there may be whistling and/or hesitation
- The engine may run lean or rich on bank #2 exclusively
What are some of the common causes of the code?
The causes
of this P2222 NOx sensor code may include:
- Malfunctioning catalytic converter
- Incorrect fuel mixture
- Faulty coolant temperature sensor
- Broken manifold air pressure sensor
- Issues with the mass air flow sensor
- Faulty fuel injection component
- Broken fuel pressure regulator
- There have been misfires
- Leaks from the exhaust manifold, flex pipe, downpipe, or any other exhaust component
- Broken oxygen sensors
What are the diagnostic and troubleshooting steps for P2222?
The first step in the troubleshooting process for any malfunction is to check the Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for known issues with the specific vehicle.
Advanced diagnostic steps become very vehicle-specific and may require the appropriate advanced equipment and knowledge to operate accurately. We include the basic steps below, but refer to a repair guide specific to the year/make/model/drivetrain for steps tailored to your vehicle.
Basic Step #1
The first step should always be to clear the codes and scan the vehicle again. If none of the fault codes (diagnostic trouble codes) immediately show as active, take the vehicle for a multi-stop road test to see if they reappear. If only one of the codes is reactivated by the ECM (engine control module), continue diagnostics for that one.
Basic Step #2
Next, you should check the exhaust for any leaks. Black soot around cracks and/or joints in the system is a good sign of a leak. This should be addressed accordingly; most of the time, an exhaust gasket is fairly simple to replace. A fully sealed exhaust is integral to the sensors involved in your exhaust system.
Basic Step #3
Using an infrared temperature gun, you can monitor the exhaust temperature before and after the catalyst. You will then need to compare the results to the manufacturer’s specifications, so refer to the specific service manual for this.
Basic Step #4
If the catalytic converter temperature meets specifications, focus on the electrical system involved with these sensors. Start with the harness and connector of the Bank 2 NOx sensor. Often, these harnesses tend to crack and fail due to proximity to extreme exhaust temperatures. Repair damaged wires by soldering connections and heat-shrinking them. Also, inspect the oxygen sensors involved in Bank 2 to ensure they are not damaged, which could potentially affect downstream NOx readings. Repair any connector that is not making sufficient connections or not locking properly.
This article is strictly for informational purposes only, and the technical data and service bulletins for your specific vehicle should always take precedence.