Bring your car, truck, or utility vehicle to JA Motors right away if you are having any of the problems listed below. These problems are signs that the oxygen (O2) sensor has gone bad. This can happen if you have clocked 100,000 miles or more on the odometer. Generally, the O2 sensor does not last much longer than this. Don’t worry. We can install a new O2 sensor if your vehicle needs it.
Check Engine Warning
One of the first things that might happen when the O2 sensor malfunctions is the check engine light will turn on. The engine control module (ECM), your automobile’s main computer, will receive an error code from the oxygen sensor when it goes bad. It will turn on the check engine light to alert you.
Performance Trouble
The ECM may also make weird adjustments in the combustion chamber because it thinks it needs more air or fuel. When this happens, you may end up with a sputtering or surging engine, respectively. The ECM may do this because the O2 sensor has sent it incorrect information about the exhaust oxygen level.
Poor Fuel Economy
As if it weren’t bad enough that your engine is struggling to perform, you will also end up with a reduction in your fuel economy until you replace the faulty O2 sensor. Anytime the engine does not run efficiently it uses more fuel. This is especially true if the ECM has put excess fuel in the chamber.
Black Exhaust Smoke
One way to tell if the imbalance is fuel-heavy is to take a look at your tailpipe. If you see black exhaust smoke flowing out of it, the engine is burning extra fuel. This can cause problems with the catalytic converter as it struggles to treat the excess hydrocarbons so they become safer emissions.
Rancid Exhaust Smoke
You will know that your catalytic converter is malfunctioning if your exhaust starts to smell like rotten eggs. This is a sign that the converter is clogged by sulfur. You may also have engine performance problems and an issue with your engine overheating.
Failed Emissions Test
Finally, when the catalytic converter is unable to treat the hydrocarbons in your exhaust, your automobile will fail any emissions test that it takes. This is because there are too many hydrocarbons instead of safe emissions in the exhaust.
JA Motors in Peachtree City, GA, can help, so give us a call today to schedule a service appointment for an oxygen sensor test.