A lot of cars that were released in the 70s and 1980s are equipped with catalytic neutralizers or exhaust gas catalysts that allow you to significantly reduce the toxicity of produced substances, thereby reducing damage that transfers the environment. It is important that the functioning of the catalyst is maintained only in the case of the formation of an ideal mixture, and if we speak more precisely, one part of the fuel is required about 14.6 - 14.8 particles of normal atmospheric air with an optimal content of oxygen. That in the mixture did not contain too much or too few similar particles, you need to use the electrical fuel supply control. In such a system, the lambda probe monitors the quality of the combustible composition. Unfortunately, such a mechanism is very fragile, unstable and often subjected to breakdowns. When you stop the work of the lambda probe, no specialized devices are required to detect a malfunction, however, the operation of the vehicle is terminated.

How lambda probe works

The lambda probe is able to determine the chemicals in the exhaust gases by selecting oxygen in them and the recognition of the percentage. If the condition of the mixture is optimal, such an indicator must correspond to 0. 1 - 0.3 percent. Due to the unstable fuel supply mode into the engine for considerable time, the indicators may vary. The lambda probe is mounted directly into the exhaust manifold and very often, it is installed in the place where the nozzles are connected, which are departed from a variety of cylinders, although there are other variations.

Different types of lambda probes are modified. For example, on economical vehicles and on cars, previous anniversary, such devices are distinguished by the presence of a two-channel layout. They are able to determine only deviations in the oxygen content in a negative or positive side. This process is accompanied by changes in the electronic signal voltage, which is transmitted to the electrical block. To date, almost all auto machines of elite and middle classes are equipped with broadband lambda probes designed to determine the percentage deviations of the content from the norm of the desired item. It helps to achieve significant improvements in the engine, namely:

1. Spent the cost of fuel.

2. The car resources are significantly increased.

3. Increases the stability of idle cycles.

Faulty lambda probe - Is it possible to ride with defective lambda probe

If the lambda probe is faulty, the quality of the fuel mixture is significantly worsened, which, in turn, impairs the engine operation. In any situation, not including mechanical damage that are accompanied by depressurization, problems with the lambda probe are systematically manifested, gradually worsening the operation of the motor. Also, the exception of the rule can be called a wiring break, which, in its essence, is not the immediate breakdown of the lambda probe. It is strictly not recommended to ignore the lambda probe breakdown and operate the vehicle, as this may lead to the absolute output of the motor, for which expensive repairs will be followed.

Causes of Lambda Probe Fault

There are many reasons for the malfunction of the lambda probe, however, in our article we allocated several basic and most frequent causes of the breakage of this device:

1. If the sensor housing was depicted and the exhaust gases and atmospheric air penetrated the inside.

2. If the lambda probe overheated due to faults in the ignition system and incorrect engine tuning.

3. The lambda probe may fail due to the lengthy effects of the external environment, simply can be called aging.

4. If the working surface of the lambda probe is blocked by the combustion products of the poorly fuel.

5. If the optimal power is impaired or interrupted the line that leads to the control unit.

6. As a result of a powerful impact, followed by the destruction of the internal elements. This often occurs during a long ride by destroyed road surface surfaces.

Lambda probe

As for the electrotechnical side of the lambda probe operation, this mechanism is not capable of forming homogeneous signals. Through the typical lambda probe is located in the graduate manifold, the following occurs - when the exhaust gases reach the point of its location, there are several working revolutions, which significantly worsens the quality of the mixture and provokes the desteabilization of the engine. In view of this, the lambda probe changes the voltage that is served on the central injection control unit hosting the necessary measures.

How to check whether Lambda Probe works

From the very beginning, the mechanism ceases to qualitatively perform the necessary functions in the optimal operating modes of the motor, if its electrotechnical characteristics deteriorates before the sensor does not generate the desired signal. The manifestations of lambda-probe faults are to destabilize idle cycles, which begin to swim in the range, which has a length of 300-600 revolutions per minute. If you reach too high revolutions, however, not belonging to critical, the quality of the fuel mixture can change dramatically. In this case, the vehicle is strongly twitching, from under the hood you can hear a ripple cotton, and the control lamp, which indicates the incorrect operation of the motor, flashes on the dashboard. When the turns are reduced, the signs of a lambda-probe malfunction disappear.

When ignoring such symptoms, the second stage of malfunction development comes. At the same time, the device will not work if the motor does not warm. While the engine temperature does not reach the necessary, the vehicle will show all the signs of the breakdown of the gas distribution system or the intake mechanism. For example, it can be noted, a significant deterioration in power, various cotton, jerks, as well as, inhibited reactions when changing the position of the gas pedal. Due to the absolute stopping of the fuel supply, the machine can slow down or twitch, you can also see the engine overheating. After a few minutes of movement in this mode, the temporary stabilization of the car occurs.

If the driver does not accept any measures, the device may finally fail, which will entail a lot of negative consequences. In particular, the dynamics and riding in continuous mode will deteriorate significantly, the fuel consumption will significantly increase, and the exhaust gases will become more toxic, which can be easily determined by a sharply unnecessary smell with a clear shade of fuel. Interestingly, some modern cars are able to block all the actions of the motorist and go to the emergency mode if the lambda probe is faulty.

The sensor body enters atmospheric air, why it is impossible to ride cars in this case

As mentioned above, when the lambda probe is deployed, it is impossible to continue the operation of the vehicle, since the motor can completely fail. At the same time, the gases of the exhaust come to the channel used to accumulate atmospheric air to compare two types of gases and determine the optimal oxygen content. When braking with a motor, the atmospheric air passes through cylinders with fewer impurities, and the lambda probe notes that the oxygen in the collector is greater than in the external environment. It forms powerful negative signals that violate the optimal operation of the injection control unit.

As for external signs, the essential part of the power is lost, the revolutions of the gas pedal are slightly increasing, loud cotton and jerks are heard. In addition, the catalyst begins to burn fuel, which is accompanied by an unpleasant smell, throwing out soot from the exhaust pipe, which settles on the hollows of the candles and exhaust valves.

Electronic diagnostics of lambda probe

For a professional inspection of a lambda probe, an electronic oscilloscope must be applied. Also, you can use the multimeter, however, it is capable only to state the fact that the device failed. The device must be checked on a running motor, which is heated to 80-90 degrees Celsius, since the undoamed engine will not give accurate readings.

There are quite a lot of signs of the device malfunction. For example, the smooth characteristics of the signal or an increase in the level that does not exceed 0.1 V. Also, pay attention to the curve form, changes in the voltage should be steep, and not smoothly enlarged. In addition, according to specialists, the signal level in the lambda probe should change every 120 ms, and otherwise it is faulty.

Cleaning the lambda probe to remove combustion products with their own hands

For this, it is necessary to dismantle the device when the surface temperature will be about 50 degrees Celsius. Then, remove the protective cap and immerse contact with it to orthophosphoric acid. It is required to wash it a lambda probe several times, after which rinse it with simple water. Next, dried the device and mount it back. Do not forget to lubricate the thread by specialized paste-sealant.

Repair of lambda probe or full replacement of the lambda probe node

In fact, all car manufacturers in one voice claim the impossibility of repairing a lambda probe and about the fact that in the event of a breakdown, a complete replacement of the node is required. You can get out of the situation by purchasing a special universal sensor, which is equipped with an adapter for a specific car type.

Remember that only timely detection of breakage and the use of necessary measures will help to avoid the above-described troubles.