What Are the Effects of a Damaged Oxygen Sensor on a Car?
2 Answers
Excessive emissions, deterioration of engine performance, stalling at idle, inaccurate engine operation, and reduced power are all symptoms of a faulty oxygen sensor. The role of the oxygen sensor is to control vehicle exhaust emissions, reduce environmental pollution caused by the vehicle, and improve the fuel combustion quality of the car's engine. The method for inspecting an oxygen sensor is: By observing the amplitude and frequency of the oxygen sensor's voltage changes, one can determine whether the oxygen sensor is functioning properly. To check if the oxygen sensor is working correctly, a diagnostic scanner can be used. After starting the engine and allowing it to reach normal operating temperature, the oxygen sensor's voltage should fluctuate rapidly within a range of 0.1V to 0.9V, indicating that the oxygen sensor is functioning properly. This voltage is the feedback voltage of the oxygen sensor. Common faults of the oxygen sensor include: oxygen sensor poisoning, carbon buildup, ceramic cracking in the oxygen sensor, heater resistor wire burnout, and internal wiring disconnection. Cars have both a front and a rear oxygen sensor: The front oxygen sensor's role is feedback, detecting the oxygen content in the exhaust gases produced after the combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the cylinders. A high oxygen content indicates a lean mixture, while a low oxygen content indicates a rich mixture. The rear oxygen sensor's role is to check the purification effectiveness of the catalytic converter, detecting the oxygen content in the exhaust gases after purification. Every car is equipped with an oxygen sensor, and typically, a car has two oxygen sensors—one located behind the exhaust manifold and another behind the catalytic converter. The oxygen sensor can detect the oxygen content in the exhaust, allowing the ECU to adjust the air-fuel ratio and also determine whether the catalytic converter is functioning properly.
As an average car user, last month my oxygen sensor failed, making the driving experience terrible. The fuel consumption suddenly skyrocketed—previously, a full tank could last 500 kilometers, but now it runs out before 400 kilometers, causing a big hit to my wallet. The engine felt sluggish, lacking power during acceleration, and struggled to pick up speed when overtaking on the highway. The most obvious sign was the yellow check engine light turning on, which was really annoying. If left unrepaired, the exhaust emissions would exceed standards, possibly causing the annual inspection to fail. Even worse, the catalytic converter could get damaged, costing thousands to replace. I went to the repair shop and replaced the sensor, and the problem was immediately resolved—fuel consumption returned to normal. I recommend keeping an eye on dashboard warning lights and fuel consumption changes to address issues early, saving a lot of trouble and money.
