Oxygen Sensor Relay: Description and Operation

OXYGEN SENSOR HEATERS/HEATER RELAYS
On a certain non-California emission package, the heaters on both oxygen sensors are fed battery voltage from the ASD relay which is controlled by the PCM. Refer to ASD relay for more information. On another non-California emission package, the heaters on both sensors are fed battery voltage from the two O2S heater relays. The O2S relays are also controlled by the PCM. On the California emission package, the heaters on all 4 sensors are fed battery voltage from the two O2S Heater Relays.

The O2 sensor uses a Positive Thermal Co-efficient (PTC) heater element. As temperature increases, resistance increases. At ambient temperatures around 70 °F, the resistance of the heating element is approximately 6 ohms. As the sensor's temperature increases, resistance in the heater element increases. This allows the heater to maintain the optimum operating temperature of approximately 930 - 1100 °F (500 - 600 °C). Although the sensors operate the same, there are physical differences, due to the environment that they operate in, that keep them from being interchangeable.

Maintaining correct sensor temperature at all times allows the system to enter into closed loop operation sooner. Also, it allows the system to remain in closed loop operation during periods of extended idle.

In Closed Loop operation, the PCM monitors certain O2 sensor input(s) along with other inputs, and adjusts the injector pulse width accordingly. During Open Loop operation, the PCM ignores the O2 sensor input. The PCM adjusts injector pulse width based on preprogrammed (fixed) values and inputs from other sensors.