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Tommy Williams Posted on Dec 23, 2011
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How can you tell if oxygen sensor is bad - Cars & Trucks

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Michael Thomas

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  • Master 3,056 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 23, 2011
Michael Thomas
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Hello there and welcome to fixya
Remove the oxygen sensor connector cover and check the oxygen sensor's operational voltage. Consult your vehicle's manual to find the wiring schematic. Back probe the sensor's connector with the meter leads. Start engine again and monitor voltage readings. Voltage should switch between high and low, from approximately 0.1 to 0.9 vdc. Replace sensor if it fails this test.
3

Unplug the sensor connector and test the sensor's heating circuit. Using your vehicle's wiring schematic, check for 12 vdc and also for a good ground. If voltage or a ground is not present, repair circuit between connector and battery.
4

Measure internal resistance of the sensor's heater circuit. Check that the heater resistance is a low reading. Replace sensor if the heater resistance is infinity or extremely high.
5

Unplugging the sensor's connector while testing the oxygen sensor will often set fault codes and illuminate the "Check Engine" light. After all checks and repairs have been made, clear the fault codes by following the procedure in your vehicle's

Read more: How to Test Oxygen Sensors ' eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4780847_test-oxygen-sensors.html#ixzz1hPBA4wKH

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Related Questions:

1helpful
2answers

There are 2 oxygen sensors on my ford escort 2001. one before and one after the catalytic converter. how can I tell if one or both are bad. I had it diagnosed when the check engine light came on.

Replace both, this will save you having to do it later and all the costs associated with putting it on a lift a second time. The sensors do not cost much, the labor on the other hand, well that all depends on who you go to. If you have the ability to get under the car, do it yourself it is an easy fix. Buy the sensor from Autozone or O'Reilly and they will allow you to use the digital testor to reset the check engine light.
2helpful
3answers

Trouble codeP1491,P0132,P0135 on 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 What does this mean?

P1491-This code is for the radiator fan control relay circuit.
This can be caused by bad wiring, a faulty fan, a bad thermostat and even a bad pcm. Most likely it is a wiring issue.
P0132 This involves the front oxygen sensor on Bank 1. This code indicates that the heated oxygen sensor reading is too high.
P0135 This code refers to the front oxygen sensor on Bank 1. The heated circuit in the oxygen sensor decreases time needed to enter closed loop.
As the O2 heater reaches operating temperature, the oxygen sensor responds by switching according to oxygen content of the exhaust surrounding it. The ECM tracks how long it takes for the oxygen sensor to begin switching. It the ECM determines (based on coolant temp) that too much time elapsed before the oxygen sensor began operating properly, it will set P0135. You need a new Bank 1 sensor 1 O2 sensor !
1helpful
1answer

Changed sensor 1 bank 1 and found I have four on 96 Yukon makes noise like putting underneath. Now want start. Wuts wrong

tell me did, did skipping start after you replace oxygen sensor or did vechicle already have skip before sensor change if so skipping can be caused by intake leak,bad spark plugs and wires,could have restricted fuel filter, weak fuel pump or weak ignition coil. if skipping occur after you replaced oxygen sensor could have loose sensor or cross thread sensor threads causing exhaust leak around oxygen sensor.
0helpful
2answers

97 CV - Chk Eng light on - something about oxygen sensor??? BUT - in cold weather - has little to no PWOWER in accellorating - UNLESS I allow the engine to "warm-up" for a while?>???

if the oxygen sensor is bad it will either not send or send the wrong signal to the ecu making the engine think it is running rich on fuel so the ecu cuts back the fuel supply
0helpful
1answer

Engine codes are 12, 51,21,53,55 can someone tell me what these codes are. engine is running extremely rich.

12 is battery has been disconnected recently, or went dead.
51 is Oxygen sensor stuck on lean mixture reading
21- no change in oxygen sensor reading
53- internal problem with logic module
55- is end of message/codes.

51 & 21, basically telling you same thing, but I wouldn't jump at changing oxygen sensor first, as a bad M.A.P. sensor can cause a rich mixture, thus oxygen sensor switches to lean to try and compensate. Personally, I'd go with map sensor first, check connections and vacuum lines if all good, replace it, then I'd go to oxygen sensor .
1helpful
1answer

One of my oxygen sensor is reading bad,do i have to change the other three ?

A bad oxygen sensor will cause an engine to run poor. Scan the computer, it will tell you which of the oxygen sensors has failed. Simply replace the sensor that is bad and the repair is complete, clear trouble codes.

Hope helps (remember rated this):
4helpful
2answers

Does my car need a tune up and oxygen sensors replaced after the catalyic converter is changed?

No,Although a tune up should have been done,This would not clog a new convertor,If in fact the new one is clogged,You have a deeper under lying problem and I would recomend you take it some where else for a second opinion,without telling them what the first place said.That way,They test the vehicle completely.

If you tell them what the first place said,they are more likely to agree than to test for something else.


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1helpful
1answer

My 1996 Dodge Ram 5.2 is missing out and dies.

I had an oxygen sensor go out, and my dodge almost wouldnt run, i would reccomend replacing the bad oxygen sensor. The sensor could be telling the computer that there is to much fuel in the exhaust and cuts the fuel down enough to kill the engine, or vice-versa, Another thing could be the Intake air temperature sensor.
1helpful
1answer

Oxygen sensor 2000 2 liter Tracker

You have an heated Oxygen sensor. 2 of the wires heat up the sensor and keep it at a certain temperature, it is turned on and off by the computer. The other 2 are use to send a very low voltage reading back to the computer to tell the computer if the engine is running rich or lean. I don't have a diagram to tell you which wire does what but you can get a manual and that should give you the information that you need and tell you how to trouble shoot it to tell if the sensor is bad or not, you may want to look for a wire laying on the exhaust, I have found wires burnt and lay on the metal.
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