Are you familiar with the oxygen sensors (O2 sensors) in your car? They're responsible for detecting if an appropriate amount of oxygen is being mixed with the fuel your engine uses. Too much or too little oxygen will have an effect on engine performance, so it's essential to have properly functioning O2 sensors. If the sensors are covered in debris or broken, they won't alert your car to an issue. As a result, your vehicle won't regulate its oxygen-fuel ratio correctly. This, in turn, can trigger the check engine light.
Where are Oxygen Sensors Located? Oxygen sensors are located in the exhaust system.
How Many O2 Sensors Does My Car Have? Your vehicle may have two oxygen sensors or more depending on the make and model. The sensors are categorized as "upstream" and "downsteam" depending on their location.
How Do Oxygen Sensors Work? O2 sensors tell your car if the oxygen to fuel ratio is too lean, too rich, or just right. Your vehicle changes the oxygen to fuel ratio based on this data.
Why Do O2 Sensors Cause the Check Engine Light to Turn On? When O2 sensors aren't working properly, or if they detect an issue, they can trigger the check engine light. How do you know if the oxygen sensors are performing like they should? Typically, the upstream O2 sensor(s) will have a fluctuating voltage output that can waver between 0.1V (this indicates a lean fuel ratio, with not enough fuel in the mix) and 0.9V (this indicates a rich fuel ratio, with too much fuel in the mix). An optimal fuel-oxygen mixture is 0.45V. Generally, if the voltage doesn't drop below .25V or exceed .75V, things are running smooth. If the voltage is too high, too low, or steady at the upstream sensor, it indicates an issue.
At the downstream sensor(s), the voltage should be steady at around .45V. High readings, low readings, and fluctuating readings at this sensor can indicate an issue and trigger the check engine light.
You may experience the following engine issues due to the oxygen and fuel ratio:
Why Do Oxygen Sensors Fail? Oxygen sensors aren't impervious to wear and tear or other issues. Combustion byproducts can cover a sensor, impeding its ability to read oxygen levels. Normal wear and tear can take a toll as well. Following your vehicle's preventative maintenance schedule can help you keep your O2 sensors in top shape longer. Common routine maintenance services, like changing the air filter, will reduce how much grime reaches your vehicle's oxygen sensors.
Did your check engine light turn on in Puyallup, Washington? The team at 15th Street Automotive can perform an engine diagnostic and locate the cause of your issue. We provide a variety of automotive and engine repairs, including O2 sensor replacement.
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