Oxygen Sensor Function

Possible Defects & Costs

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There is often confusion when it comes to lambda sensors on vehicles. Many people don't even know, that there are at least two lambda sensors in the vehicle that play an important role in the car. If a lambda sensor is defective, you will not receive a TÜV sticker/pickerl, as the exhaust gas values are falsified as a result. In this article, you can find out how the lambda sensors in the vehicle work, what their task is and how you can prevent a defect. A guide to the Replacing the diagnostic probe we have also prepared for you.

1) What is the lambda sensor and where is it installed?

Nowadays, a modern vehicle has at least Two lambda sensors. These are located at the Exhaust gas system all the way to regulate or monitor the exhaust gas values. However, both probes are similar and can sometimes be used as synonyms. In practice, it is not uncommon for the same probe to be used both as a Control and diagnostic probe is used. This mainly depends on the car model and the manufacturer of the lambda sensor.

The control probe:

The lambda sensor BEFORE the catalytic converter is the control sensor. The control sensor measures the oxygen content in the exhaust gas of a combustion engine and sends the measured signal to the engine control unit. This then intervenes accordingly in the Air-fuel mixture of the engine to reduce the oxygen content in the exhaust gas. regulate. This ensures that the motor works optimally and the emissions can be reduced. Control sensors are important for optimizing exhaust gas purification and reducing emissions and are installed in almost all modern motor vehicles.

Lambda sensor/control sensor (before catalytic converter)
Lambda sensor upstream of the catalytic converter (control sensor)

The diagnostic probe:

The lambda sensor AFTER the catalytic converter is the diagnostic sensor and usually has a Longer cable than the control probe. The diagnostic probe is mainly used for this purpose, Fault in the engine or in the exhaust gas purification system to identify and diagnose faults. In other words, the diagnostic probe detects faults in the catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter and sends a Error code to the engine control unit. The diagnostic probe detects whether the control probe is working correctly and can therefore also Compensate for deviations. The diagnostic probe is also used to read out the exhaust gas values for the TÜV sticker or the sticker.

Lambda sensor/diagnostic sensor (after catalytic converter)
Lambda sensor after the catalytic converter (diagnostic sensor)

2) Prevent defect in the lambda sensor

There are a few steps you can take to create a Preventing a defective lambda sensor:

Keep the engine clean: A clean engine reduces deposits in the lambda sensor, which can lead to faults.
Use high quality fuel: Always use the better fuel for your vehicle. If you use poor quality fuel, this can lead to deposits in the lambda sensor.
Check the air filter regularly: A clogged air filter can impair the performance of the engine and lead to deposits in the lambda sensor.
Check the exhaust system: Make sure that the exhaust system is in good condition and that there are no leaks. Leaks in the exhaust system can lead to falsified values or to error messages in the engine control unit.

Don't forget that the lambda sensor is a Wear part and will have to be replaced sooner or later anyway. However, early detection of problems and maintenance can help to extend the service life of the lambda sensor.

3) Lambda sensor costs

The cost of a lambda sensor can vary depending on the Manufacturer, model and year of manufacture of the vehicle. You must also distinguish between a control probe and a diagnostic probe.

The price for a Diagnostic probe can choose between 20 and 170 Euro lie.
The price for a Control probe can choose between 50 and 250 Euro lie.

In some cases, it may be necessary to replace the lambda sensor together with other parts such as the exhaust manifold or the exhaust pipe. In this case, the repair may be more expensive.
You should also make sure that you use a high-quality, original replacement lambda sensor. Original lambda sensors have a Longer service life and work reliably.

*Favorable offers for Lambda sensors can be found here:

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One Instructions for Replacing the diagnostic probe we have prepared for you. The change is easy and can be done at home without much effort.


* Affiliate links are marked with a *. Nothing changes for you and the offer/price remains the same. You can find more information about affiliate links here.

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