What makes an oxygen sensor go bad?

Question

I have replaced my oxygen sensor in my C230 but it still is not working properly. What could cause it not to work?

(I will answer questions if you need more information)

Thanks in advance!

i took my car to autozone and was given a computer readout. then i took my car to my dealership and paid them to do the same thing. they both gave me the same answer, the O2 sensor was bad and needed to be replaced.

i purchased one from autozone (less money) and replaced it. still the check engine light is on, and i took it back to the dealership and had them to reset the computer. but of course the light is still on. before they reset it, that told me that the sensor needed to be replaced...

my car had a glass pack (sp.?) muffler on it when i bought it with a hole in the side from an 'idiot' weld. i removed the muffler and resonator and replaced the system with stock parts. could this be part of the problem too?

i had the code cleared and the devil light came back on! i really am cursed with that stink'n check engine light. we pulled the previously repaired one out and inspected it and it did have a black ash like substance on it....but nothing so bad to make us think that it was the problem

i bought a new one (2nd one), but the wrong part was shipped to me...just my luck.

my read out was a P0131. low voltage...the computer is receiving a low voltage indicating the system has a high content of oxygen....it also lists as probable causes: 2. fuel system running lean-check other codes first. 3. engine vacuum leak or misfire-repair. 4. low fuel pressure-fuel pump defective.

Which one should I attempt next? I really want to stay away from the dealership because it is a mercedes and it is ridiculus the cost of diagnose ($92.00) and repair ($750.00). just for a simple oxygen sensor.

the year is 02 and mileage is 72,000. i know this is common to replace the sensor at this mileage. timing is good so that's not problem. no shakes, no bad smells (other than the exhaust smells sweet, but i'm not used to a premium gas exhaust system--it does smell different right??) hmmm...i do see the exhaust in the morning only. it's whiteish but then again it's pretty cold here in the morning.

Answer 1

If the code come alone maybe a lose connection
or a electrical problem.
Make sure the code doesn`t say: system too lean or system too rich because that could be the maf sensor (mass air flow sensor) dirty or bad reading because of a leak in the air cleaner hose.
Check fuses , wiring or leaks in exhaust system before the sensor.

Answer 2

"You Bought the Car User? Privet Party?" With a "High End Car" Dealer's used Car Section!

Year? Mileage?

Clean and Adjust Throttle Body!

"O2 Sensor Bad?" Bad Air/Fuel Mixture! Excessive Back Pressure! (Muffler and/or Catalytic Converter), Back Firing from Bad timing or Bad Timing Belt!

Whole was in the "Glass Pack" for a Reason "Of Some Kind!", Air/Fuel Mix was Reset by Owner or the Computer.

Read Out shows you/The Mechanic Where the Problem is and "Where to Start Looking for the Cause"!

Answer 3

some O2 sensors are 2 cord and a few are 4 cord, and idk what yours is, however the malfunction on my vehicles have been that 2 of the wires on the 4 cord are for a heating element that stop, by using fact the sensor became clogged after a visit in the process the mountains, which brought about consistent differences to the incoming air temperature and manifold absolute stress sensors, becoming "richness confusion" for the workstation to calculate my gasoline trim, so I figured the heating element could not deplete the warmth because it had a coat of carbon, and burned out. the automobile had over 100kmi on it, so I figured all that became primary sufficient, and the difficulty went away with the alternative O2 sensor. Now while your codes say 'working rich' vs. 'malfunction', it style of feels to me like the malfunction became the heating element failure, and the 'working rich' ability the sensor works, and is announcing you have have been given something else incorrect, like even desiring a clean air clear out, and that's including too lots gasoline to seize up on the ability lost from air starvation, or something. The intermittent element seems such as you're saying the sunshine is going out while the automobile warms up?,- yet turning on once you initiate it says that's too rich while its chilly, like a temperature sensor is getting sluggish, and the workstation needs to renowned the engine's temperature greater properly to decrease back the gasoline on the comparable cost the engine warms up. desire this factors you desirable.

Answer 4

Weel first note why you think this and how the oxygen sensor plays a part in this. now its possible that it was not the problem and thats why you think it does not work or someone did not verify that the wiring was okay going to the sensor. so how did you get to replacing the sensor reasons please

Answer 5

how do you verify a bad o2 sensor? it could be a bad map sensor or a throttle position sensor or one of many units that can cause the fuel mixture to be rich

Answer 6

you may have to get the code cleared from the computer

Answer 7

A cruddy connector. Frayed wires. Clogged port where you screwed it in. That kind of stuff.