What problems can an oxygen sensor failure cause?
3 Answers
Problems caused by oxygen sensor failure include: reduced vehicle power, difficulty in acceleration, unstable idle speed during operation, increased fuel consumption, excessive vehicle pollutant emissions, spark plug failure, and fuel supply system failure. When the oxygen sensor fails, the ECU cannot obtain information about the oxygen concentration in the exhaust pipe, and thus cannot provide feedback control on the mixture concentration. In engines equipped with a three-way catalytic converter to reduce exhaust pollution, the oxygen sensor is an essential component. Since the purification ability of the three-way catalyst for CO, HC, and NOx drops sharply once the air-fuel ratio of the mixture deviates from the theoretical air-fuel ratio, an oxygen sensor is installed in the exhaust pipe to detect the oxygen concentration in the exhaust and send a feedback signal to the ECU. The ECU then adjusts the fuel injection volume of the injector to keep the air-fuel ratio of the mixture near the theoretical value.
I've been driving for over 20 years and often help friends check their cars. If the oxygen sensor fails, the most troublesome issue is the sudden spike in fuel consumption – when the air-fuel ratio gets messed up, the engine burns more fuel but delivers less power, adding an extra 1-2 liters per 100 kilometers. Not only does your wallet suffer, but you'll also feel the car lacking power, especially when accelerating on the highway—it’s like an old ox panting, and climbing hills becomes even more noticeable. The check engine light on the dashboard will definitely come on, buzzing a warning at you. If you don’t fix it in time, it might even damage the catalytic converter, turning a few hundred bucks into thousands in repairs. Once, my relative’s car had this issue, and they delayed fixing it until it stalled halfway—totally not worth it. My advice? Don’t take it lightly; get it checked at a shop ASAP to avoid endless headaches later.
I enjoy tinkering with minor car issues in my spare time, buying tools to fiddle around. The oxygen sensor, resembling a probe in the exhaust pipe, measures oxygen levels in emissions to help the ECU adjust the air-fuel ratio. When it fails, the ECU is left groping in the dark—resulting in either overly rich mixtures belching black smoke or overly lean ones causing engine misfires, unstable idling like shivering, and sluggish acceleration as if being held back. In severe cases, it pollutes the environment with excessive emissions that make people wrinkle their noses. At home, an OBD scanner can detect P013X trouble codes, and replacing the sensor yourself isn't hard, saving on shop labor costs. Don't let it worsen—the catalytic converter can crack under excessive heat, leading to costly repairs.
