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O2 sensors, component description - GF07.04-P-6100VA

ENGINE 272.920 in MODEL 203 

ENGINE 272.922 in MODEL 211 

ENGINE 272.940 in MODEL 203, 209 

ENGINE 272.941 in MODEL 203 

ENGINE 272.942 in MODEL 171 

ENGINE 272.943 in MODEL 211 

ENGINE 272.944 in MODEL 211 

ENGINE 272.945 in MODEL 251 

ENGINE 272.946 in MODEL 221 

ENGINE 272.960 in MODEL 203, 209 

ENGINE 272.963 in MODEL 171 

ENGINE 272.964 in MODEL 211, 219 

ENGINE 272.965 in MODEL 221 

ENGINE 272.966 in MODEL 230 

ENGINE 272.967 in MODEL 164, 251 

ENGINE 272.970 in MODEL 203 

ENGINE 272.972 in MODEL 211 

ENGINE 272.975 in MODEL 221 

ENGINE 273.922 in MODEL 221 

ENGINE 273.923 in MODEL 164 

ENGINE 273.924 in MODEL 221 

ENGINE 273.943 in MODEL 164 

ENGINE 273.960 in MODEL 211, 219 

ENGINE 273.961 in MODEL 216, 221 

ENGINE 273.962 in MODEL 211 

ENGINE 273.963 in MODEL 164, 251 

ENGINE 273.965 in MODEL 230 

ENGINE 273.967 in MODEL 209 

ENGINE 273.968 in MODEL 221 

Shown on engine 272.963 

Location 

Engine 272 CIS-E: The O2 sensors downstream TWC are bolted onto the side of the catalytic convertors. They are located in the space between the first and the second monoliths.

Engine 272 DE: The O2 sensors downstream TWC are bolted into the exhaust pipes downstream of the catalytic converters.

Fig 1: Identifying O2 Sensors Components - Shown On Engine 272.963
G04736588Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Shown on engine 272.963, right cylinder bank 

Fig 2: Identifying O2 Sensors Components - Shown On Engine 272.963, Right Cylinder Bank
G04736589Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Task 

The O2 sensors downstream of TWC (guide or diagnostic sensors) are designed as planar oxygen sensors and detect the residual oxygen content in the exhaust gas for the following tasks:

Design 

Connector for O 2  sensors downstream of TWC, round and square version (View of connector on O 2  sensor) 

Fig 4: Identifying Sensor Heater Voltage And O2 Sensor Signal Ground
G04736591Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Voltage-free insulated O2 sensors are used.

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.

Advantages of planar sensor compared to finger sensor:

Functional principle 

Fig 5: Identifying Sensor Ceramic, Electrodes At Boundary Surfaces And Exhaust Pipe
G04736592Courtesy 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 produces the O2 sensor signal, which is a measurement for the residual oxygen content in the exhaust gas.

The evaluation circuit of the O2 sensor signals (in the ME control unit) sends a so-called sensor 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.

IMPORTANT

If the O2 sensor is unplugged, the counter voltage at the ME control unit can be measured against the ground of the O2 sensor signal.

Route of O 2  sensor signal via multiple signal change (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.

2  sensor heater 

The O2 sensors are heated in order to rapidly heat up the sensor ceramic 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 (thermo shock).

Fig 6: O2 Sensor Voltage Graph
G04736593Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

2  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 measurements.

Fig 7: O2 Sensor Signal Graph
G04736594Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.