Oxygen sensors 4.4L (Discovery 3)

There are four oxygen sensors installed in the engine exhaust system. Two front oxygen sensors are located before the catalytic converter and two are located behind the catalytic converter. The oxygen sensor measures the oxygen content in the exhaust gases. The data obtained is used to regulate the composition of the working mixture. The location of the sensor in the exhaust gas flow of each bank of cylinders allows the ECM (engine control unit) separately regulate the fuel supply to the cylinders of each row and more accurately maintain the composition of the working mixture, which increases the efficiency of the neutralizer.

Front oxygen sensors

Rear oxygen sensors

Proper operation of oxygen sensors is only possible when heated to high temperatures. To achieve the required high temperatures, the sensors are equipped with heating elements controlled by PWM (pulse width modulation) - signals transmitted by the ECM unit (engine control unit). The heating elements start working immediately after the engine starts. They also work at low loads, when the exhaust gas temperature is insufficient to heat the sensors. Heater failure leads to an increase in the sensor preparation period, which delays the transition to a closed control loop and increases the emission of toxic substances. PWM duty cycle (pulse width modulation) - signals are continuously monitored to prevent thermal shock of cold sensors.



Universal heated oxygen sensors (UHEGO) have a characteristic close to linear and generate a constant voltage signal with a variable current proportional to the oxygen content in the exhaust gas. This allows for closed-loop control (with feedback) the composition of the working mixture, for example, in the engine warm-up mode (after warming up the oxygen sensor to the readiness level). This allows for more precise regulation of the release of toxic products.

Heated (not universal) heated oxygen sensors (HEGO) generate an output voltage that depends on the ratio of oxygen concentrations in the exhaust gas and in the atmosphere. The sensor is a galvanic element enclosed in a porous ceramic jacket. The voltage generated by the ceramic element depends on the oxygen diffusing through the jacket. The nominal voltage at a stoichiometric mixture composition (l = 1) is from 300 to 500 mV. When the mixture becomes richer (l ＜ 1), the voltage increases to 900 mV, when leaner (l ＞ 1), it drops to 0 V. The sensor tip can withstand heating up to 1000 degrees Celsius for no more than 100 hours.

As the vehicle mileage increases, the sensor ages, which increases the response time when switching from a rich mixture to a lean mixture, and vice versa. The increase in response time affects the operation of the ECM closed control loop (engine control unit) and leads to a gradual increase in exhaust toxicity. Measuring the response time to the transition of the mixture composition through one is used to diagnose the condition of the front sensors.



Diagnostics of the electrical circuits of the front and rear oxygen sensors is carried out continuously. Diagnostics is carried out by comparing the maximum and minimum threshold signs of open and short circuit.

Oxygen sensors require extremely careful handling both before and during installation. Ceramic parts of the sensor may crack if dropped, hit, or if the tightening torque is exceeded. Sensors should be tightened with a proven torque wrench; the tightening torque is 40-50 Nm. The sensor tip should be protected from contamination with anti-seize grease applied to the threaded part of the sensor. A standard oxygen sensor has tinned contacts, while a universal sensor has gold-plated ones. Swapping the sensors will lead to contamination of the contacts and disruption of the system.

Types of failures

• Mechanical damage to the sensor and incorrect installation.
• Open circuit/sensor disconnected.
• Short circuit to power supply or ground.
• The mixture composition is outside the working range.
• The sensors of the A and B cylinders are crossed (the connectors are mixed up).
• Contamination ("poisoning") of the sensor due to the use of leaded fuel or for other reasons.
• Changing sensor characteristics.
• Damage to the wiring harness.
• Air leak in the exhaust system.

Signs of malfunction

• Default transition to control of fuel supply to cylinders of a certain row without feedback
• High CO content.
• Strong smell of hydrogen sulfide (the smell of rotten eggs) before switching to default mode.
• Increased emission of toxic substances.

The front and rear oxygen sensors can be swapped. However, the sensor connectors are male/female and are painted in different colors to prevent incorrect connection. In addition, the front sensor housing has two exhaust gas bypass holes, while the rear sensor housing has four.

[The material was taken from a website: LRMAN.ru]