How to Identify a Faulty Oxygen Sensor?
3 Answers
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.
There are several simple ways to identify a faulty oxygen sensor. Pay attention to the car's performance while driving: for example, unstable idling with the engine shaking like a sieve; sluggish acceleration, making the car feel as heavy as fully loaded. A sudden 10% to 20% increase in fuel consumption wastes the money you could save for milk tea in a month. The engine light on the dashboard is a common signal, but sometimes even if it's not lit, you can tell from the exhaust—thick black smoke or a pungent smell. For tools, spending a few dozen dollars on an OBD scanner to plug into the port will make fault codes clear at a glance. Long-term driving with a faulty sensor harms the engine and may lead to catalytic converter failure, costing thousands more to fix. I recommend regular cleaning of the sensor to avoid carbon buildup. If the problem persists, promptly visit a professional shop to test voltage values for confirmation. Don’t delay until it becomes a major issue, making repairs more troublesome.
