Operation

OPERATION

As vehicles accumulate mileage, the catalytic converter deteriorates. The deterioration results in a less efficient catalyst. To monitor catalytic converter deterioration, the fuel injection system uses two heated oxygen sensors. One sensor upstream of the catalytic converter, one downstream of the converter. The PCM compares the reading from the sensors to calculate the catalytic converter oxygen storage capacity and converter efficiency. Also, the PCM uses the upstream heated oxygen sensor input when adjusting injector pulse width.

When the catalytic converter efficiency drops below emission standards, the PCM stores a diagnostic trouble code and illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL).

When a large amount of oxygen is present (caused by a lean air/fuel mixture, which can be caused by misfire and exhaust leaks), the sensors produce a low voltage. When there is a lesser amount of oxygen present (caused by a rich air/fuel mixture, which can be caused by internal engine problems) they produce a higher voltage. By monitoring the oxygen content and converting it to electrical voltage, the sensors act as a rich-lean switch.

The oxygen sensors are equipped with a heating element that keeps the sensors at proper operating temperature during all operating modes. Maintaining correct sensor temperature at all times allows the system to enter into closed loop operation sooner. Also, it allows the system to remain in closed loop operation during periods of extended idle.

In Closed Loop operation the PCM monitors the O2 sensors input (along with other inputs) and adjusts the injector pulse width accordingly. During Open Loop operation the PCM ignores the O2 sensor input. The PCM adjusts injector pulse width based on preprogrammed (fixed) values and inputs from other sensors.

The PCM controller has a common ground for the heater in the O2S. 12 volts is supplied to the heater in the O2S by the PCM controller. Both the upstream and downstream O2 sensors are pulse width modulation (PWM).

UPSTREAM OXYGEN SENSOR

The input from the upstream heated oxygen sensor tells the PCM the oxygen content of the exhaust gas. Based on this input, the PCM fine tunes the air-fuel ratio by adjusting injector pulse width.

The sensor input switches from 2.5 to 3.5 volt, depending upon the oxygen content of the exhaust gas in the exhaust manifold. When a large amount of oxygen is present (caused by a lean air-fuel mixture), the sensor produces voltage as low as 2.5 volt. When there is a lesser amount of oxygen present (rich air-fuel mixture) the sensor produces a voltage as high as 3.5 volt. By monitoring the oxygen content and converting it to electrical voltage, the sensor acts as a rich-lean switch.

The heating element in the sensor provides heat to the sensor ceramic element. Heating the sensor allows the system to enter into closed loop operation sooner. Also, it allows the system to remain in closed loop operation during periods of extended idle.

In Closed Loop, the PCM adjusts injector pulse width based on the upstream heated oxygen sensor input along with other inputs. In Open Loop, the PCM adjusts injector pulse width based on preprogrammed (fixed) values and inputs from other sensors.

DOWNSTREAM OXYGEN SENSOR

The downstream heated oxygen sensor input is used to detect catalytic converter deterioration. As the converter deteriorates, the input from the downstream sensor begins to match the upstream sensor input except for a slight time delay. By comparing the downstream heated oxygen sensor input to the input from the upstream sensor, the PCM calculates catalytic converter efficiency, which also is used to establish the upstream O2 goal voltage (switching point).