Catalyst Monitor Heated Oxygen Sensor

To control emissions of Hydrocarbons (HC), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), a three-way catalytic converter is used. The catalyst within the converter promotes a chemical reaction which oxidizes the HC and CO present in the exhaust gas, converting them into harmless water vapor and carbon dioxide. The catalyst also reduces NOx, converting it to nitrogen. The Control Module has the ability to monitor this process using the Bank 1 Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) 2 and the Bank 1 HO2S 3 heated oxygen sensors. The Bank 1 HO2S 2 sensor produces an output signal which indicates the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust gas entering the three-way catalytic converter. The Bank 1 HO2S 3 sensor produces an output signal which indicates the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst; this in turn indicates the catalyst's ability to convert exhaust gases efficiently. If the catalyst is operating efficiently, the Bank 1 HO2S 2 signal will be far more active than that produced by the Bank 1 HO2S 3 sensor.

In addition to catalyst monitoring, the Bank 1 HO2S 3 heated oxygen sensor has a limited role in controlling fuel delivery. If the Bank 1 HO2S 3 signal indicates a high or low oxygen content for an extended period of time while in closed loop, the ECM will adjust fuel delivery slightly to compensate.