2014 Dodge Dart SXT 2.4L P0038 Fault: Which O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Is Affected? Upstream or Downstream?
In a 2014 Dodge Dart SXT with a 2.4L engine, the P0038 diagnostic trouble code indicates an open or high resistance in the oxygen sensor heater circuit for Oxygen Sensor 1/2. The question is: is this sensor located upstream or downstream of the catalytic converter? Since Sensor 2 is positioned after the catalytic converter, it is classified as a downstream oxygen sensor. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) detects an open circuit or high resistance in the heater control circuit for this downstream O2 sensor. Common causes include an open ground circuit, faulty oxygen sensor, or issues within the PCM itself. It's recommended to replace the sensor with an original Dodge part—aftermarket sensors like NTK are not guaranteed to resolve the issue reliably.
P0038 Code Conditions: The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) detects an open or high resistance in the Oxygen Sensor 1/2 Heater Control circuit.\nSensor 2 is located downstream of the catalytic converter.\nPossible Causes:\n- O2 SENSOR 1/2 HEATER CONTROL CIRCUIT OPEN OR HIGH RESISTANCE\n- GROUND CIRCUIT OPEN\n- OXYGEN SENSOR 1/2 FAILURE\n- POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) MALFUNCTION\nAlways use original Dodge OEM sensors—aftermarket brands such as NTK may not provide reliable performance or compatibility.