9000 L4-1985cc 2.0L DOHC Turbo EFI (1987)
Oxygen Sensor: Description and Operation
Oxygen sensor
Description
The oxygen sensor is situated in the exhaust pipe ahead of the catalytic converter. The sensor monitors the exhaust gases by measuring their oxygen
content. On the basis of this information, calculations are performed by the control module which adjusts the fuel-air mixture accordingly. This is
important for the efficiency of the catalytic converter.
The oxygen sensor's sc-nsing element consists of a primary cell (5). The primary cell contains a solid electrolyte consisting of zircbnium oxide. The
oxygen sensor compares the oxygen content of the exhaust gases with the oxygen content of the ambient air.
The operating range of the oxygen sensor is between 0 and 1 V and its working temperature between 200°C and 850°C. The heating element ensures
that the sensor reaches operating temperature more rapidly.
The oxygen sensor is self-cleaning and it has a long service life.
In the event of an open circuit, the "CHECK ENGINE" lamp (MIL) in the combined instrument display panel lights up at the same time as the control
module adopts a preprogrammed default value.
Cars fitted with an oxygen sensor should be run on unleaded petrol only. Otherwise the ceramic material will become coated with lead, rendering the
oxygen sensor unserviceable.
