How to Determine the Quality of an Oxygen Sensor?
2 Answers
Here are specific methods to judge the quality of an oxygen sensor: 1. Observe the color to determine: (1) The normal color of the oxygen sensor tip is light gray. Any change in the color of the oxygen sensor tip indicates a fault or potential fault in the oxygen sensor. (2) A black-tipped oxygen sensor is caused by carbon contamination. After removal, carbon deposits should be cleaned from it. (3) If the oxygen sensor tip is found to be reddish-brown, it indicates lead contamination, which is caused by the use of leaded gasoline in the car. 2. Measure the resistance value of the oxygen sensor to determine: When the engine temperature reaches normal, unplug the oxygen sensor's wire connector and use a resistance meter to measure the resistance value between the terminals of the pressure sensor. The resistance value should meet the standard requirements for the specific vehicle model (generally 4-40Ω). If the resistance value does not meet the requirements, the oxygen sensor should be replaced.
I usually enjoy tinkering with my car. Last time when my car's fuel consumption suddenly spiked and I felt a lack of power during acceleration, I suspected the oxygen sensor might be faulty. The most straightforward method is to buy an OBD scanner and plug it into the car's computer port to read the fault codes. Oxygen sensor-related issues usually show up as codes like P0130 or P0140. If these codes appear, it's highly likely the sensor is bad. Additionally, I used a multimeter to test the sensor's voltage. At idle, the normal voltage should fluctuate rapidly between 0.1 and 0.9 volts. If the voltage stays stagnant or goes out of range, it indicates a problem. Remember to check if the sensor's wiring is corroded or loose, and if there's excessive carbon buildup on the surface, as these can cause signal loss. Cleaning it regularly during maintenance can extend its lifespan. I found that after replacing the faulty sensor, the car's performance improved significantly, and fuel consumption returned to normal. It cost me around a hundred bucks to DIY, saving both money and hassle.