How Does it Work?
- Oxygen sensors are galvanic thimbles that act to compare the amount of oxygen in the exhaust with that in the outside or ambient air
- In a super-heated state, two precious metal electrodes exchange ions through a porous ceramic element
- This ion flow creates an electrical potential difference that is higher for a rich mixture and lower for a lean mixture
- Conventional oxygen sensors continually switch between high and low as the mixture adapts and the engine computer (PCM) commands fuel deliver according to the changing oxygen sensor signal