GMC Oxygen Sensor

With the coming of automotive computerized engine control systems, the need for oxygen sensors like the GMC oxygen sensor became an indispensable matter. Perhaps, most car owners are not really familiar with what an oxygen sensor is. For better understanding how oxygen sensors work, one must first know what it looks like or what its components are.

An oxygen sensor is akin to a spark plug in terms of appearance only serving a different function. Defined, it is an electronic device that takes information and passes it along, normally to a computer for the purpose of monitoring the air that goes into the engine, the emissions levels, tire slippage and numerous other functions. It is inserted into the exhaust manifold. Moreso, has two compartments, an inner and outer, that is divided by a U-shape rod coated with platinum.

More than anything else, an oxygen sensor must clearly provide accurate information or else, certain drivability problems, increased fuel consumptions and emissions failures can be encountered. This is very essential for anyone who wants to keep their automobile’s performance in top condition as to the performance and longevity. Also known as O2 Sensor, lambda probe, lambda sensor, lambda sond, or EGO (exhaust gas oxygen) sensor, an oxygen sensor serves as supervise how much unburned oxygen is in the exhaust as the exhaust goes out of the engine by gauging the fuel mixture.

This whole process lets the computer determine if the fuel mixture is burning rich which means less oxygen or lean which means more oxygen. The richness or leanness of the fuel mixture, including air temperature, engine coolant temperature, barometer pressure, throttle, position, air flow, and engine load is affected by several factors that makes it susceptible to different problems. In order to avert such problems, a reliable and properly working oxygen sensor must be used.

Furthermore, oxygen sensors works like a miniature generator and produces its own voltage when it gets hot, and inside its vented cover on the end that screws into the exhaust manifold, you can find a zirconium ceramic bulb that is coated on the outside with a porous layer of platinum. Also, inside the bulb are two strips of platinum that serve as electrodes or contacts. Oxygen levels between the exhaust and outside air within the sensor difference causes voltage to flow through the ceramic bulb which means, the greater difference the higher the voltage reading will be.