Cavalier L4-144 2.4L DOHC VIN T SFI (1997)
Oxygen Sensor: Description and Operation
Catalyst Monitor Diagnostic Operation
The OBD II catalyst monitor diagnostic measures oxygen storage capacity. In order to do this, the heated sensors are installed before and after the
Three-Way Catalyst (TWC). Voltage variations between the sensors allow the control module to determine the catalyst emission performance.
As a catalyst becomes less effective in promoting chemical reactions, the catalyst's capacity to store and release oxygen generally degrades. The OBD II
catalyst monitor diagnostic is based on an correlation between conversion efficiency and oxygen storage capacity.
A good catalyst (e.g. 95% hydrocarbon conversion efficiency) shows a relatively flat output voltage on the post-catalyst Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S).
A degraded catalyst (65% hydrocarbon conversion) shows a greatly increased activity in output voltage from the post catalyst HO2S.
The post-catalyst HO2S 2 is used to measure the oxygen storage and release capacity of the catalyst. A high oxygen storage capacity indicates a good
catalyst; low oxygen storage capacity indicates a failing catalyst. The TWC, HO2S 2, and HO2S 3 must be at operating temperature in order to achieve
correct oxygen sensor voltages like those shown in the Post-Catalyst HO2S 3 Outputs graphic.
The catalyst monitor diagnostic is sensitive to the following conditions:
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Exhaust leaks
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HO2S Contamination
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Alternate fuels
Exhaust system leaks may cause the following results:
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Prevent a degraded catalyst from failing the diagnostic
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Cause a false failure for a normally functioning catalyst
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Prevent the diagnostic from running
Some of the contaminants that may be encountered are phosphorus, lead, silica, and sulfur. The presence of these contaminants prevents the TWC
diagnostic from functioning properly.
