How to Identify a Faulty Oxygen Sensor?
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Cars with damaged oxygen sensors may experience reduced power performance, significantly increased fuel consumption, rapid deterioration of the three-way catalytic converter, and a greatly shortened lifespan of the catalytic converter. Below is relevant information about oxygen sensors: 1. Introduction: The oxygen sensor is an essential component for reducing exhaust pollution in engines. Once the air-fuel ratio of the mixture deviates from the theoretical value, the oxygen sensor detects the oxygen concentration in the exhaust and sends feedback to the ECU. This feedback controls the fuel injection amount of the injector, thereby maintaining the air-fuel ratio of the mixture within the normal range. The oxygen sensor calculates oxygen concentration through chemical equilibrium to monitor the air-fuel ratio of the mixture. Therefore, if the oxygen sensor is damaged, it cannot monitor the vehicle's exhaust emission values. 2. Core Component: The core component of the oxygen sensor is a porous ZrO2 ceramic tube. At certain temperatures, high-concentration oxygen molecules inside the tube can be adsorbed to form electrons, creating a potential difference.
Back when I drove my old car, I often encountered oxygen sensor issues. The most obvious signs of a faulty sensor were feeling a loss of power while driving—the car would lack responsiveness when pressing the accelerator, and acceleration would feel jerky. The engine sound also became uneven. Fuel consumption would spike, costing an extra few dozen bucks a month. The check engine light on the dashboard would often come on, though not every time, depending on the car's design. The exhaust would emit a sour smell or black smoke, causing noticeable pollution. If you took it to a repair shop for a scanner check, it usually showed trouble codes like P0130 or P0420. This part is crucial for engine health, so fixing it early prevents chain damage to other components and avoids higher repair costs. If you're handy, you can first check for loose wiring or connectors before deciding to replace it.
