How can i tell if my lambda sensor is not working right on my car?
Answers:
The only real way to tell is by taking it to a garage who has compatible software with your cars diagnostics. In general the car should show an engine management fault light if any sensor fails. If you have not had an engine management warning, or if your car does not have one, then the local garage is your only option. You could try an emissions test, but there could be many things that would cause your car to fail, its a bit hit and miss and the cost is comparable. If you have had it tested, as you say, and it shown no fault then it would be right to assume there is not fault. All Lamda sensors are prone to failing, this is not Vauxhall specific, it is due to what it does and where it is positioned, it is almost a sacrificial component. Can I ask, why do you think it has gone, what symptoms is your car showing that makes you think this sensor is at fault, maybe we can look at other sources of problems.
What symptoms are you experiencing?
A failing lambda sensor can cause a car to run poorly, be down on power, not get good fuel economy and it would fail an emmissions test.
You will need to have it checked with a crypton tuner. This will tell you for definite if it is faulty
They're only expected to last for about 50000 miles.
On my Astra the main symptoms were the engine management light along with excessively high engine revs. Not funny when trying to stop an automatic.
Easily fixed [replaced] but you need to see a good auto electrician.
you could try unplugging the wire so as to disconnect the lambda sensor thus sending the ecu into default mode and see if there is any improvement if so replace if not then get your car to a good garage and have them check that all sensors have correct voltages , I've had these with no fault codes but when checking the resistances I've found the faulty component
If your lambda sensor was knackered it would definately show up on the ECU fault light on the dash. The whole point of the lambda sensor is to tell the ECU the mixture in your exhaust gas and alter the fuelling to suit. If the ECU doesn't receive a good signal it will flag this light on the dash. They are generally good or absolutely knackered. I assume you are having idling problems? If this is the case you need to take the 3 sensors from the air flow housing, MAP, idle control valve and 1 other( can't remember name) and clean them all with electrical contact cleaner as i said before. Or another solvent cleaner but make sure it has all evaporated off before you fire her up again. Also disconnect the battery for 10 minutes to allow the ECU to clear the fault codes from it's memory.
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