Catalyst Efficiency Monitor: Notes

The catalyst efficiency monitor uses the rear heated oxygen sensor (HO2S), after the catalyst, to infer the hydrocarbon (HC) efficiency based on the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst. During monitor operation the powertrain control module (PCM) calculates the length of the signal while the sensor is switching. Under normal closed-loop fuel conditions, high efficiency catalysts have significant oxygen storage. This makes the switching frequency of the rear HO2S very slow and reduces the amplitude, which provides for a shorter signal length. As the catalyst efficiency deteriorates due to thermal and chemical deterioration, its ability to store oxygen declines. The rear HO2S signal begins to switch more rapidly with increasing amplitude and signal length. The predominant failure mode for high mileage catalysts is chemical deterioration (phosphorus deposits on the front brick of the catalyst), not thermal deterioration.

The catalyst efficiency monitor calculates the rear HO2S signal lengths for 10-20 seconds during part-throttle, closed-loop fuel conditions after the engine is warmed-up, the inferred catalyst temperature is within limits, and fuel tank vapor purge is disabled. The catalyst monitor is enabled for 10-20 seconds per drive cycle. When the catalyst monitor is active, the PCM commands a fixed fuel control routine. During monitor operation the rear HO2S signal lengths are continually calculated. To determine the index ratio, the calculated rear HO2S signal length is then divided by a calibrated signal length, which has compensation for mass air flow. The calibrated signal length is based on the signal length of an HO2S placed after a catalyst without a washcoat. An index ratio near 0.0 indicates high oxygen storage capacity, hence high HC efficiency. An index ratio near 1.0 indicates low oxygen storage capacity, hence low HC efficiency. If the actual index ratio exceeds the threshold index ratio, the catalyst is considered failed.