Operation - Dodge Intrepid Service Manual

LH
O2 SENSOR (Continued)
Fig. 19 Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor 1/1
1 - PROPORTIONAL PURGE SOLENOID
2 - O2 SENSOR
Fig. 20 Downstream Heated Oxygen Sensor 1/2, 2/1
1 - OXYGEN SENSORS

OPERATION

A single sensor ground is used for all O2 sensors (2
senors on 4 cyl. vehicles and 4 sensors on 6 cyl. vehi-
cles).
As vehicles accumulate mileage, the catalytic con-
vertor deteriorates. The deterioration results in a
less efficient catalyst. To monitor catalytic convertor
deterioration, the fuel injection system uses two
heated oxygen sensors. One sensor upstream of the
catalytic convertor, one downstream of the convertor.
The PCM compares the reading from the sensors to
calculate the catalytic convertor oxygen storage
capacity and converter efficiency. Also, the PCM uses
the upstream heated oxygen sensor input when
adjusting injector pulse width.
When the catalytic converter efficiency drops below
emission standards, the PCM stores a diagnostic
trouble code and illuminates the malfunction indica-
tor lamp (MIL).
The O2 sensors produce voltages from 0 to 1 volt,
depending upon the oxygen content of the exhaust
gas. When a large amount of oxygen is present
(caused by a lean air/fuel mixture, can be caused by
misfire and exhaust leaks), the sensors produces a
low voltage. When there is a lesser amount of oxygen
present (caused by a rich air/fuel mixture, can be
caused by internal engine problems) it produces a
higher voltage. By monitoring the oxygen content
and converting it to electrical voltage, the sensors act
as a rich-lean switch.
The oxygen sensors are equipped with a heating
element that keeps the sensors at proper operating
temperature during all operating modes. 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 the O2
sensors input (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 pre-
programmed (fixed) values and inputs from other
sensors.
The Automatic Shutdown (ASD) relay supplies bat-
tery voltage to both the upstream and downstream
heated oxygen sensors. The oxygen sensors are
equipped with a heating element. The heating ele-
ments reduce the time required for the sensors to
reach operating temperature. The PCM uses pulse
width modulation to control the ground side of the
heater to regulate the temperature on 4 cyl.
upstream O2 heater only. All other 4 cyl. and 6 cyl.
O2 heaters do not use pulse width modulation.
UPSTREAM OXYGEN SENSOR
The input from the upstream heated oxygen sensor
tells the PCM the oxygen content of the exhaust gas.
Based on this input, the PCM fine tunes the air-fuel
ratio by adjusting injector pulse width.
The sensor input switches from 0 to 1 volt, depend-
ing upon the oxygen content of the exhaust gas in
the exhaust manifold. When a large amount of oxy-
gen is present (caused by a lean air-fuel mixture), the
sensor produces voltage as low as 0.1 volt. When
there is a lesser amount of oxygen present (rich air-
FUEL INJECTION 14 - 33