What Does P013E Mean?
The ECM has detected a delayed response from the Bank 1 Sensor 2 (downstream) oxygen sensor during the rich-to-lean transition. Unlike a slow response (P013A), a 'delayed' response means the sensor does not begin to change at all for an excessive period after the exhaust gas composition actually changes. This suggests a more significant degradation of the sensor element or a physical obstruction preventing exhaust gas from reaching the sensing element promptly.
Common Causes
40%
Severely degraded or end-of-life O2 sensor with significant response delay
25%
Heavy contamination or carbon buildup on the O2 sensor protective shield, blocking gas flow to the element
15%
O2 sensor heater partially failing, keeping the element at suboptimal temperature for fast response
10%
Exhaust system restriction or back-pressure issue affecting gas flow to the sensor
10%
Wiring issue causing slow signal propagation or intermittent heater operation
Diagnostic Steps
1
Graph Bank 1 Sensor 2 signal during a deceleration fuel cut — note the time delay from when the upstream sensor transitions to lean until the downstream sensor begins to respond. A delay greater than 1-2 seconds indicates a problem.
2
Check the O2 sensor heater operation by monitoring heater current draw — should be approximately 0.5-2A when active. A low or intermittent heater can cause delayed response due to inadequate sensor temperature.
3
Inspect the O2 sensor for heavy external carbon or soot buildup on the protective louvers that could physically restrict exhaust gas from reaching the sensing element.
4
Verify the exhaust system is not excessively restricted (collapsed pipe, plugged cat) by checking exhaust back-pressure at the upstream test port — should be below 2 PSI at 2500 RPM.
5
Replace the Bank 1 Sensor 2 O2 sensor — delayed response combined with rich-to-lean directionality typically indicates the sensor element is beyond recovery.
Estimated Repair Cost
$100 - $350
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The ECM has detected a delayed response from the Bank 1 Sensor 2 (downstream) oxygen sensor during the rich-to-lean transition. Unlike a slow response (P013A), a 'delayed' response means the sensor does not begin to change at all for an excessive period after the exhaust gas composition actually cha...
The most common cause of P013E (O2 Sensor Delayed Response - Rich to Lean (Bank 1 Sensor 2)) is: Severely degraded or end-of-life O2 sensor with significant response delay
Typical repair costs for P013E range from $100 to $350, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
Safe to drive. This is an emissions monitoring code. No driveability impact. The vehicle will fail emissions testing. Prolonged delay in repair will not cause additional damage.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P013E to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Emissions / Exhaust
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
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