what happens to your car when your oxygen sensor malfunctions?

Question

2000 Toyota Celica GT - Check engine light on, determined that it requrires a new O2 sensor, what happens to the car when this malfunctions?

Answer 1

usually not much. Some vehicles it may cause a rough idle or slight smoke at startup.....im not sure if it will cause you to fail your emissions test or not? But it isn't a huge problem. Getit fixed as soon as you can but don't worry to much.

Answer 2

The oxygen sensor is a sensor that reads between 1-5v. The computer uses the feedback response from the oxygen sensor, to let it know how much fuel should be introduced into the engine,and then compares the oxygen sensors voltage to a predetermined set prgram in the computer. If the signal from the oxygen sensor is out of the range of the computers program. The computer kicks on the service engine soon lite. Too much gas will cause the cat to overheat and ruin it. Change the sensor as soon as possible.

Answer 3

You will not get the proper mixture of air and fuel in the engine. Either too rich or lean because the O2 sensor cannot send the proper signals to the onboard computer.

Answer 4

From what I remember, a mechanic told me that the car just uses the best default settings (keeping the mixture of oxygen and fuel consistent) that is pre-programmed into your computer. This could lower your gas mileage, but it won't be very much.

If your oxygen sensor were working, it would adjust the oxygen / fuel mixture according to the amount of oxygen going into your engine (intake) and the amount of oxygen leaving the engine (exhaust). You usually have two oxygen sensors in your car.

Answer 5

Typically you are either getting a wrong reading on the O2 sensor... or..... the O2 fuel mix is not correct and your car could be putting out more pollutants than is good for the environment.

Answer 6

I had my O2 sensor go out a year ago. I had no notible performance issues, but my emissions suffered greatly. You will probably not pass a smog check with a faulty O2 sensor.

Answer 7

Its not going to know accurately how much air is getting mixed with the fuel so its likely you will lose power and fuel economy as well as increased emissions. Its an easy fix that will save you more money in fuel before too long

Answer 8

The car wants to die everytime you slow down or stop at a corner. It almost seems as if you were out of fuel. I had an '89 Chevy Corsica and the best way to deal with it until I got it fixed was to use one foot to apply breaks as usual, but when stopping or slowing use other foot to keep slight but steady pressure on the gas pedal. I don't know if your familar with double footing - but it worked for me.

Answer 9

It will die or feel and sound like it will. This went out in my old car. Easy to fix, of course my best friends husband is a mechanic so easy for me!!! I would get it fixed soon, the part is pretty cheap.

Answer 10

WHEN THE O2 SENSOR FAILS FIRST THING YOU WILL NOTICE IS THE IDIOT LIGHT ( NO THAT IS NOT AN INSULT, IT COULD BE A 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT)ON THE DASH WILL LIGHT. THEN THE CAR'S MPG WILL START TO REDUCE. IT WILL BE A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE.YOU COULD ALSO NOTICE THAT THE EXHAUST IS JET BLACK.