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Component description for a O2 sensor - GF07.04-P-6100BK

ENGINE 113.967 in MODEL 219 

ENGINE 113.964 in MODEL 164.1 

ENGINE 113.971 in MODEL 251 

Shows model 219 

Fig 1: Identifying Exhaust System Components Location
G05257507Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Location 

The O2 sensors are located in the front part of the exhaust system as follows:

Connector for O 2  sensors in a round and angular version (View of connector on O 2  sensor) 

Fig 3: Identifying O2 Sensor Connector Terminal
G05257509Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Task 

The O2 sensors detect the residual oxygen share in the exhaust and transmit corresponding voltage signals to the ME control unit.

The following functions are dependent on the O sensor signals:

2  sensor signal from O 2  sensors upstream TWC (control sensors) 

2  sensor signal from O 2  sensors downstream TWC (guide or diagnosis sensors) 

Functional principle 

Design 

The sensors used are potential-free insulated O2 planar sensors.

The active sensor ceramic consists of a gas permeable ceramic body made of zirconium dioxide. A protective tube with several slots protects the ceramic body from mechanical stresses and from temperature jumps.

They are connected electrically by means of a 4-pin connector. The ground cable for the sensor signal for each O2 sensor is routed individually up to the ME control unit.

Fig 4: Exhaust Gases Function Diagram
G05257510Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Function 

The sensor ceramic is conductive for oxygen ions from approx. 300°C. If the oxygen concentration on both sides of the sensor ceramic differs, a voltage is produced at the boundary surfaces as a result of the particular properties of the sensor ceramic (Nernst voltage). This Nernst voltage gives the O2 sensor signal, which is a measurement for the residual oxygen content in the exhaust gas.

The evaluation circuit of the O2 sensor signal (in the ME control unit) gives a so-called counter voltage of approx. 450 mV to the O2 sensor.

If the O2 sensor is cold, the sensor internal resistance is so high that the O2 sensor voltage is initially the same as the back voltage irrespective of the mixture composition.

2  sensor heater 

The O2 sensors are heated in order to warm up the sensor ceramic rapidly to operating temperature. The sensor heater is actuated by the ME control unit through a ground signal. The heater current in the cold state is increased approximately by the factor 4.

The sensor heater is switched off at coolant temperatures below approx. 20°C and at high engine speeds in order to avoid overheating (thermal shock).

IMPORTANT if the O2 sensor is unplugged, the counter voltage at the ME control unit can be measured against the O sensor signal ground.

2  sensor signal travels via several signal changes (schematic 

Faults at the O2 sensor can be detected by means of the O2 sensor signal.

Defined limit values must be maintained for the O2 sensor voltage, the duration of the period and for the sensor status change.

Fig 5: O2 Sensor Signal Graph
G05257511Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

sensor signal 

The O2 sensor signal has a steep voltage jump (λ=1) at the transition from a rich to a lean mixture. This property is utilized for the lambda closed-loop control.

Fig 6: Air Fuel Ratio Graph
G05257512Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.