Common Faults And Inspection Methods Of Automotive Oxygen Sensors
Automotive oxygen sensor refers to a sensor used to monitor the oxygen content emitted by the engine. Its main function is to monitor the oxygen content emitted by the engine and provide feedback to the engine control unit ECU to achieve combustion control and reduce pollutant emissions. However, during the use of automobiles, oxygen sensors may also experience some common malfunctions. The following will introduce common faults and inspection methods of automotive oxygen sensors.
Common Fault 1: Aging of Oxygen Sensor
After a period of use, oxygen sensors may lose sensitivity due to aging, resulting in inaccurate output signals and affecting the normal operation of the combustion control system. At this point, the engine may become unstable, fuel consumption may increase, and exhaust emissions may increase.
Inspection method:
1. Use the OBD onboard diagnostic tool to read the fault code. If a fault code related to the oxygen sensor appears, it indicates that there may be a problem with the oxygen sensor.
2. Conduct a visual inspection of the sensor to observe for any damage, poor wiring connections, etc.
3. Disconnect the oxygen sensor cable and measure the voltage output of the sensor with a multimeter to see if it is within the specified voltage range.
Common fault 2: Oxygen sensor contamination
Oxygen sensors may be covered by pollutants such as carbon deposits and grease, resulting in slow sensor response or significant signal deviation.
In this case, the engine may experience issues such as poor acceleration and decreased power.
Inspection method:
1. Remove the oxygen sensor and clean or replace it. You can use a brushless cleaning agent to gently spray on the sensor element, and then wipe it with a clean cloth or tissue.
If the fault still exists after cleaning, it is recommended to replace the oxygen sensor with a new one.
Common fault three: Oxygen sensor heating circuit fault
Oxygen sensors usually come with heating devices to quickly reach operating temperature. If the heating circuit is short circuited or open circuited, it will cause the sensor to fail to reach the working temperature normally, thereby affecting the output signal of the sensor
Inspection method:
1. Observe if there are any malfunction indicator lights such as "CHCKENGINE" on the dashboard.
2. Use a multimeter to measure the resistance value of the heating circuit, and refer to the standard range provided by the manufacturer to determine if it is normal.
3. Check if the wiring of the heating circuit is good and if there are any issues such as short circuits or open circuits.
Summary:
The above are common faults and inspection methods for automotive oxygen sensors. If encountering the above faults, timely inspection and repair are very important to ensure the normal operation of the engine and maintain the emission level of the vehicle in compliance with environmental requirements. When conducting inspections and repairs, it is recommended to follow the requirements and steps in the repair manual provided by the car manufacturer, or seek the help of a professional technician.
