Caprice Wagon V8-350 5.7L VIN P SFI (1996)
Oxygen Sensor: Description and Operation
Rear Heated Oxygen Sensors (HO2S)
DESCRIPTION
To control emissions of Hydrocarbons (HC), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), a three-way catalytic converter is used. The
catalyst within the converter promotes a chemical reaction which oxidizes the HC and CO present in the exhaust gas, converting them into
harmless water vapor and carbon dioxide. The catalyst also reduces NOx, converting it to nitrogen. The PCM has the ability to monitor this
process using the Bank 1 HO2S 2 and the Bank 2 HO2S 2 heated oxygen sensors. The front HO2S sensors produces an output signal which
indicates the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust gas entering the three-&way catalytic converter. The rear HO2S sensors produces an output
signal which indicates the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst; this in turn indicates the catalysts ability to convert exhaust gases efficiently. If
the catalyst is operating efficiently, the front sensors will produce a far more active signal than that produced by the rear sensors.
OPERATION
The catalyst monitor sensors operate the same as the fuel control sensors. Although the Bank 1 HO2S 2 and Bank 2 HO2S 2 sensors main function
is catalyst monitoring, they also play a limited role in fuel control. If a sensor output indicates a voltage either above or below the 450 millivolt
bias voltage for an extended period of time, the PCM will make a slight adjustment to fuel trim to ensure that fuel delivery is correct for catalyst
monitoring
