what do oxygen sensors do?

Answer 1

they tell your computer how well the fuel is being burnt and if its to rich or lean thain the computer adjusts the fuel mixture so you get the best milage and power possible

Answer 2

When heated to above 700 degrees they can produce up to 1 volt. They do this when there is more oxygen on the outside of the exhaust pipe than the inside. The larger the difference in oxygen content, the higher the voltage generated. A normal running car at idle wil display an O2 sensor voltage that fluctuates between .4 V-.8Vdc. The higher voltage generally indicates a richer mixture, and a lower voltage generally indicates a leaner mixture. This is what the engine computer uses to decide how much fuel increse or decrease is required from the predetermined baseline.

A standard O2 sensor only requires one wire to operate, but most newer cars have 3 or 4 wire "Heated Exhaust Gas Oxygen" sensors. The 12 volt heating element allows a HEGO sensor to reach operating temp much faster than a standard O2 sensor, allowing the system to achieve "closed loop" operation in shorter times than the standard O2 sensor.

Since an O2 sensor only monitors lack of oxygen inside the exhaust. It relies heavily on the engines other components functioning properly, and will always give a "false" reading in the case of a misfire or other engine or electrical malfunction.

A misfire for instance will cause more unused oxygen to pass through the exhaust, the O2 sensor will tell the computer, which will percieve this as a lean condition, and add more fuel. A heated sensor relies on the 12V circut that operates its heating element, if that fails the sensor may seldom reach operating temp, and as a result may indicate a lean condition.

Answer 3

O2 sensors meausre the exhaust gases before and after the catalytic converter for two things. One, how rich/lean the car is running, and if the cat is working properly. With this information, it tells the computer what air/fuel ratio is best for the engine.

Answer 4

Give a signal to the computer on how much oxygen is left after it leaves the engine, and thus the computer can compensate or adjust to make the necessary changes to run.

Answer 5

It tells your computer in your car how much oxygen is in the engine and, depending on how much is in there, it injects fuel to make the right mixture. Without them you would have misfires or wasted fuel.

Answer 6

They actively monitor exhaust gases, and through varying electrical output to the computer, tell the computer to adjust the fuel/air mixture and spark to get the lowest emissions out the tailpipe...

Answer 7

they work off of your exhaust system and egr valve takes infomation from the exhaust and computer send out signal to other sensors and makes adjustments as you go down the road
something like that