Oxygen sensor
Oxygen sensor refers to the exhaust oxygen sensor used by the Pontiac Fiero ECM for fuel-mixture control.
The oxygen sensor monitors oxygen content in the exhaust stream. The ECM uses this signal to help determine whether the engine is running rich or lean during closed-loop operation.
Overview
The oxygen sensor is part of the Fiero's electronic fuel injection system. Once the engine is warm enough and operating conditions are correct, the ECM enters closed-loop operation and uses the oxygen sensor signal to fine-tune fuel delivery.
A properly working oxygen sensor switches between lean and rich voltage readings as the ECM adjusts the fuel mixture.
Location
Image wanted: Photo showing the oxygen sensor location on the 2.8L V6 exhaust crossover/Y-pipe area. A separate 2.5L four-cylinder location image would also be useful.
The stock Fiero uses a single oxygen sensor in the exhaust system.
On the 2.8L V6, the oxygen sensor is installed in the exhaust crossover / Y-pipe area, where it can read exhaust from both cylinder banks.
On the 2.5L four-cylinder, the oxygen sensor is installed in the exhaust manifold or exhaust crossover area, depending on year and exhaust configuration.
Because the sensor is mounted in the exhaust, it may be difficult to remove if it has been in place for many years. Heat, rust, and limited access can make removal difficult.
The oxygen sensor should not be confused with sensors in the intake manifold or cooling system.
Function
The oxygen sensor helps the ECM determine whether the exhaust mixture indicates:
- A lean condition
- A rich condition
- Normal switching between lean and rich
The ECM uses this information to adjust injector pulse width and maintain the intended air-fuel mixture.
Closed-loop operation
The ECM does not use the oxygen sensor immediately after a cold start. During warm-up, the ECM operates in open-loop mode and uses preset fuel calculations based on sensor inputs such as coolant temperature, manifold pressure, and throttle position.
After the engine warms up and the oxygen sensor is active, the ECM can enter closed-loop mode and begin adjusting fuel delivery based on oxygen sensor feedback.
Common symptoms
A faulty oxygen sensor or oxygen sensor circuit problem may cause:
- Check engine light
- Poor fuel economy
- Rich running
- Lean running
- Hesitation
- Rough idle
- Poor drivability
- Failed emissions test
- Exhaust smell
- Little or no obvious drivability problem
Related trouble codes
Oxygen-sensor-related diagnostic trouble codes include:
Code 13
Code 13 indicates that the ECM is not seeing normal oxygen sensor signal activity.
This may be caused by:
- Faulty oxygen sensor
- Disconnected oxygen sensor
- Oxygen sensor wiring problem
- Poor connector contact
- Exhaust or engine condition preventing normal sensor activity
- ECM input problem
Lean and rich codes
The oxygen sensor may also be involved in lean or rich exhaust codes.
Related codes include:
These codes should not automatically be treated as a failed oxygen sensor. Vacuum leaks, fuel pressure problems, exhaust leaks, injector problems, wiring faults, and other sensor issues can also cause lean or rich indications.
Diagnosis
Basic diagnostic checks include:
- Check for stored diagnostic trouble codes.
- Inspect the oxygen sensor wiring and connector.
- Check for exhaust leaks near the sensor.
- Check for vacuum leaks.
- Check fuel pressure if a lean or rich condition is suspected.
- Check related sensors such as the coolant temperature sensor, MAP sensor, and MAT sensor.
- Check ECM grounds and connectors.
- Replace the oxygen sensor only after confirming that the sensor or circuit is likely at fault.
Exhaust leaks
An exhaust leak near the oxygen sensor can allow outside air into the exhaust stream. This may cause the sensor to report a lean condition even when the engine itself is not actually running lean.
Related topics:
Notes
A trouble code involving the oxygen sensor does not always mean the oxygen sensor itself has failed.
The oxygen sensor reports exhaust oxygen content; it does not directly know why the mixture appears lean or rich. Diagnosis should determine whether the sensor is bad, the wiring is faulty, or the engine is actually running lean or rich.