Often this device fails. Let's look at where the oxygen sensor is located in the car , how to check its performance. We also find out the signs of a malfunction and all about this sensor.
A bit of history
This element can be considered the most popular among all other sensors and sensors in the car. Car diagnostics specialists often deal with it. Oxygen sensors were before, this is not a novelty. The first lambda probe was a certain sensitive element without heaters. The element was heated by the temperature of the exhaust gases. The heating process took some time.
Years passed, the environmental situation around the world was constantly deteriorating. Therefore, it was necessary to take measures to tighten harmfulness and toxicity. The requirements for cars have become tougher. At this point, the sensor began to evolve and evolve. It was equipped with a special heater.
How does a lambda probe
To know how to check the oxygen concentration sensor, you need to have an idea of how the element works. The working part of the part is a certain ceramic material, which is covered with a layer of platinum. This element operates at high temperatures.
Operating temperatures can reach 350 degrees or more. While the sensor warms up to its operating temperature, the preparation of the fuel mixture is regulated according to data obtained from other sensors. To warm up the sensor faster, it is equipped with an electric heater. As for the principle of work, it is simple. The exhaust gases envelop the working surface of the sensor, which, in turn, marks the difference in the levels of oxygen contained in the exhaust and in the environment. Next, the lambda sends data to the computer. The latter gives commands for preparing the working mixture.
Where is the oxygen sensor located?
So, for engines from AvtoVAZ with a volume of 1.5 liters, the lambda probe is in the exhaust system. More precisely, on the receiving tube. This element is simply screwed on top, in front of the resonator, or before the spacer in the absence of a preliminary muffler.
For 1.6 liter engines from AvtoVAZ, a different design of the exhaust system is used. So, two lambda probes are used here. Both are located on the catalytic manifold. One or two sensors are mounted on these motors. If the engine is made under the environmental standards of Euro-2, then there is only one element. If under Euro 3, then there will be two lambda probes. So on all Lada Priora cars. How to check the oxygen sensor ? You need to dismantle it and make sure that it is working with the help of special equipment - a multimeter.
Why does the lambda probe fail?
The reasons why these elements fail can be different. Often this is a depressurization of the housing. Damage is also possible due to penetration of external oxygen and exhaust gases into the sensor. Another common reason is overheating.
It occurs due to poor engine assembly or incorrect operation of the ignition system. Also, the sensor often breaks due to obsolescence, incorrectly supplying or unstable power supply. Mechanical damage is also possible.
Symptoms
Often there are malfunctions in which the main reason is the oxygen sensor. How to check it depends on the symptoms of the malfunction. Consider them. The main symptom that indicates that the lambda probe is faulty is changes in the operation of the motor. The fact is that after the sensor fails, the quality of the fuel mixture deteriorates significantly. Simply put, no one is responsible for the preparation of the mixture - the fuel system is uncontrolled. In all cases, except perhaps the last, the sensor does not fail immediately, but gradually.
Many owners do not know where the oxygen sensor is located, how to check its operability, etc. They will not immediately understand that the element is defective. But for experienced car owners to understand and determine why the operation of the motor has changed, it will not be difficult. The process of sensor failure can be divided into several main stages. In the first stages, the element simply ceases to work normally - at some points in the operation of the engine, the lambda probe simply does not transmit readings. Because of this, the operation of the motor is destabilized - the speed is floating, unstable idling is observed. Turnovers can fluctuate in significant ranges. This ultimately leads to the loss of the correct ratio of the fuel mixture.
At the moment, the car can twitch for no good reason, uncharacteristic popping is heard, the lamp on the dashboard also lights up. All these signals indicate that the lambda is out of order and is already working incorrectly. You need to know how to check the oxygen sensor in order to fix the problem in time. Further, the lambda operation is completely stopped on a cold motor. In this case, the car will in every way inform the owner of the problem. For example, power will drop significantly, a slow reaction to the gas pedal will be observed. Claps are heard from under the hood, the car twitches. But the most significant and dangerous signal is the motor overheating. If you completely ignore all signals that are already screaming about a malfunction, a complete failure of the sensor is ensured. How to check the oxygen sensor, the driver often does not know. Therefore, a malfunction can cause big problems.
If you do nothing
The first thing the motorist himself will suffer is, as fuel consumption will increase, and exhaust fumes will smell toxic with sharp shades from the pipe. In the case of modern cars with a lot of electronics, which knows how to check the health of the oxygen sensor, the lock is activated. In such a situation, any movement on the car will become impossible. But the worst option is depressurization. The car will not go at all or will hardly start up. This is fraught with a complete engine failure. In case of depressurization, all gases instead of the exhaust pipe will enter the air intake channel. When engine braking is performed , the probe will detect toxicity and will give negative signals. This will completely disable the injection system. The main sign of depressurization is loss of engine power. This can be felt while driving at speed. Also from under the hood you will hear knocking and popping, smell. Previously, motorists needed to know how to set up a carburetor. Now nothing has changed - you must remember how to check the oxygen sensor (VAZ-2112 is no exception).
Electronics Diagnostics
To find out in what condition the lambda probe is, is possible only with the help of specialized equipment. An electronic oscilloscope is also suitable for testing. Specialists can check the probe in other ways (multimeter), but this way you can only find out if the element is working or broken.
Before checking the health of the oxygen sensor, it is necessary to start the engine. In a calm state, the probe cannot fully show its entire working picture. If there are slight deviations from the norms, it is better to replace the part with a new one.
Mistakes
If there are problems with the sensor, the car system will try in every way to report it. You can connect a special device to the diagnostic connector, and everything will be visible. Car electronics knows exactly how to test the operation of an oxygen sensor. Even VAZ cars are equipped with a diagnostic system. Errors read from P130 to P141 - these are all codes associated with the lambda. Most often, messages appear that are associated with malfunctions in the heating circuits. Because of this, incorrect information comes to the computer. You can try to find a wire break, but it is better to replace the oxygen sensor. How to test it for performance, you already know.