Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Circuit Description: Notes
To obtain a high purification rate for the CO, HC and NOx components of the exhaust gas, a three-way catalytic converter is used. For the most efficient use of the three-way catalytic converter, the air-fuel ratio must be precisely controlled so that it is always close to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.
The heated oxygen sensor has the characteristic whereby its output voltage changes suddenly in the vicinity of the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. This is used to detect the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas and provide the ECM with feedback control the air-fuel ratio.
When the air-fuel ratio becomes LEAN, the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas increases. And the heated oxygen sensor informs the ECM of the LEAN condition (low voltage, i.e. less than 0.45 V).
When the air-fuel ratio is RICHER than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, the oxygen will be vanished from the exhaust gas. And the heated oxygen sensor informs the ECM of the RICH condition (high voltage, i.e. more than 0.45 V). The ECM judges by the voltage output from the heated oxygen sensor whether the air-fuel ratio is RICH or LEAN and controls the injection time accordingly. If the malfunction of the heated oxygen sensor causes an output of abnormal voltage, the ECM becomes unable to perform accurate air-fuel ratio control.
The heated oxygen sensor include a heater which heats the zirconia element. The heater is controlled by the ECM. When the intake air volume is low (the temperature of the exhaust gas is low), current flows to the heater in order to heat the sensor for the accurate oxygen concentration detection.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.