O2sensorien

O2sensoren, also known as oxygen sensors or lambda sensors, are crucial components in modern internal combustion engines. Their primary function is to measure the amount of unburned oxygen present in the exhaust gases. This information is vital for the engine control unit (ECU) to optimize the air-fuel mixture. By analyzing the oxygen content, the ECU can determine if the mixture is too rich (too much fuel) or too lean (too little fuel). It then adjusts the fuel injection rate accordingly to achieve the ideal stoichiometric ratio, which is the theoretically perfect balance of air and fuel for complete combustion.

There are generally two main types of oxygen sensors: zirconia sensors and titania sensors. Zirconia sensors are the most common and operate by producing a voltage that varies with the oxygen concentration. Titania sensors, less common, change their resistance based on oxygen levels. Early vehicles often had only one oxygen sensor located before the catalytic converter. However, modern vehicles typically employ at least two sensors, one before and one after the catalytic converter. The post-catalyst sensor helps monitor the efficiency of the catalytic converter itself, ensuring it's effectively reducing harmful emissions. A malfunctioning O2 sensor can lead to increased fuel consumption, poor engine performance, and elevated emissions, often triggering a "check engine" light on the dashboard.