How do you fix DTC P0032 on a 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan?

Answer 1

Trouble code P0032 means: HO2S Heater Control Circuit High (Bank 1, Sensor 1)

check the O2 sensor heater circuit.

For the 2004 model year only, the expected cold resistance for this heater element is 2.1 to 2.7 ohms. The original sensor was made by Densu. In 2005 the expected value is 2.1-2.7 for Densu sourced parts and 3-4 for NGK sourced parts, and the firmware was changed to allow anything between 2 and 4 ohms to pass.

Because the replacement part stream was now dual source (Densu, NGK) a firmware update was created for older minivans. Without this firmware update the O2 sensor heater test will incorrectly reject new Mopar O2 sensors.

You may find that Bosch O2 sensors are the only brand commonly available at NAPA, Autozone, Advanced, etc. You may also find that the sensor in the Bosch box is stamped Densu and that the heater cold resistance is roughly 6 ohms. If installing this sensor does not resolve P0032 for your 2004 Chrysler minivans, locate a sensor with a heater that measures 2.1 to 2.7 ohms cold. For immediate local purchase the only option may be a Dodge/Chrysler dealership.

Its also possible that you have bad wiring or connector contacts. There is only a single pair of wires to check from the sensor connector to the control module.

Also, the O2 sensor heater is operated when the coolant temperature is sensed as below operating temperature. If either the thermostat or the coolant temperature sensor is defective, and the engine controller always sees the coolant as below operating temperature, that it will operate the heater continuously, even when it is already being heated by exhaust gasses and it may have a very short operating life.

If a replacement sensor sensor works for a day or two and then P0032 comes back and you find the new sensor's heater is now a much higher resistance, check the coolant temperature and sensor.

It is common for the thermostat in this vehicle to fail at one of the two spot welds connecting the little A-frame to the mounting flange. (After which there is less pressure on the other spot weld). This failure still allows the thermostat to open fully at the correct temperature when the engine is heavily loaded, but prevents the thermostat from closing properly. The engine warms up slowly and runs cooler than it should except when heavily loaded. If the engine temperature gauge on the instrument cluster doesn't climb promptly to a spot just below the 1/2 way mark and stay there under all but extreme driving conditions, check the coolant thermostat. NB: The factory service manual claims that the self diagnostic coverage for this part opening too soon is good and that a thermostat should not be replaced if there is no error code. My own experience is that I've had 2 thermostats fail is described and the self diagnosis did not detect any defect. This is because the diagnostic detects only failures that prevent the coolant from (ever) reaching operating temperature.

The Coolant Temperature Sensor used by the engine controller is the same one that feeds the gauge on the instrument cluster. If the gauge on the instrument cluster is erratic or not operating, the sensor and wiring should be checked.