Oxygen sensor, "Kalina": description and repair

The engine control system of a modern car provides a number of sensors that collect information on how correctly one or another of its nodes is functioning. Thanks to them, the electronic "brain" of the machine has the ability to make certain adjustments to the operation of the power unit.

One such information device is an oxygen sensor (lambda probe). It is installed on all cars that meet the environmental standards above Euro-2, including on domestic cars.

In this article we will talk about the purpose, functions, design and malfunctions of the lambda probe on the example of "Lada Kalina".

Whence such name

To ensure that the gasoline engine can work as efficiently as possible with a minimum fuel consumption, it needs an ideal (stoichiometric) combustible mixture. The ratio of air to gasoline in it should be 14.7 to 1. The indicated volume of oxygen in automakers is usually denoted by the Greek letter "λ" (lambda).

The role of the lambda probe

The oxygen sensor is mounted on one of the elements of the exhaust gas system. Usually it is a collector or a receiving pipe. Its sensing element is positioned so that it is in constant interaction with the exhaust gases.

The task of the probe is to determine the amount of oxygen in the exhaust. This he informs the electronic engine control unit. The latter, in turn, based on lambda probe data, as well as the mass air flow (mass flow) sensor, corrects the amount of fuel delivered to the intake manifold.

But car manufacturers thus do not care so much about how your car consumes less fuel than how it meets the mandatory requirements of environmental friendliness. Without this, the machine simply does not come off the assembly line. The oxygen sensor is very important here, because if the motor consumes an ideal fuel mixture, the amount of harmful impurities in the exhaust gas is minimized.

Where is the oxygen sensor on the "Kalina"

As for the location of the lambda probe, in Kalina it is installed on the exhaust manifold (trousers). But here there is one nuance. If your car complies with the Euro-3 and higher ecology class, i.e. Refers to the latest modifications, it has installed not one, but two oxygen probes: the control and diagnostic.

The first, as it was said, is located on the exhaust manifold. The above functions are performed by him. And where is the other?

A diagnostic oxygen sensor is installed after the neutralizer. с его помощью контролирует первый зонд, и если он выйдет из строя, электронный блок немедленно сообщит об этом водителю. "Kalina" with its help controls the first probe, and if it fails, the electronic unit will immediately inform the driver about it.

How is the lambda probe

имеет простую конструкцию, основу которой составляют два электрода, покрытых диоксидом циркония. The oxygen sensor "Kalina" has a simple design, which is based on two electrodes, coated with zirconia. They are located in the part of the housing that fits inside the exhaust system element and is protected from above with a perforated steel screen. The contacts are connected to the sensor connector through which it is connected to the control unit. The design of the probe is enclosed in a metal case with a thread and a skirt for a wrench in the lower part. Some modifications of modern sensors are additionally equipped with electric heaters. They are necessary for the device to start functioning from the first seconds of starting the engine. Without them, it is included in the work only after the temperature inside the collector reaches 300-400 ^° C.

The diagnostic probe has the same design as the oxygen sensor control sensor. "Kalina" in this respect benefits from the fact that these devices are interchangeable.

Principle of operation

The work of the lambda probe, regardless of its modification and the model (s) of the car, is built on the potential difference between its electrodes. In other words, the electronic control unit determines how much the voltage applied to the oxygen sensor changes . не исключение. "Kalina" is no exception. Its probe is capable of detecting voltage fluctuations at contacts within 50-90 mV. A low signal indicates that the fuel mixture is too poor, i.e. It has a lot of oxygen, and vice versa, the higher the voltage, the richer the mixture entering the cylinders.

As already mentioned, the lambda probe starts to work only after warming up to 300-400 ⁰ C. Before this, the electronic control unit does not take into account its readings. In the first minutes of the engine, the concentration of the fuel mixture is calculated based on the data of the mass flow sensors, coolant temperature, throttle position and crankshaft speed. When the probe warms up to the desired temperature, and for this it takes 5-7 minutes, the electronic control unit includes its indicators in the general formula for calculating the amount of fuel.

Symptoms of a malfunction of the oxygen sensor

и ее владельцу может обернуться более серьезными проблемами. The malfunction of the oxygen sensor "Kalina" and its owner can result in more serious problems. The fact is that without it the engine works in emergency mode, and this is fraught not only with increased fuel consumption and violation of environmental norms, but also with the appearance of such a phenomenon as detonation. To prevent this from happening, it is important to know what signs your Lada Kalina can serve, the oxygen sensor of which has failed. Symptoms of failure of the lambda probe can be:

• The "CHECK" warning light constantly on the dashboard;
• A noticeable decrease in power;
• Floating idling speed;
• Increase in fuel consumption.

Decoding of possible error codes

A more accurate diagnosis of the lambda probe can be carried out using an electronic tester connected to the engine control unit. Considering his mistakes, one can already say for sure if something else has broken down, or it is the oxygen sensor. "Kalina" about the malfunction of the lambda probe can report the following codes:

• P0130 - the wrong signal is coming from the first sensor;
• P0133 - the device is giving too weak a pulse;
• P0134 - the first sensor does not give a signal at all;
• P0135 - the probe heater is defective (if provided by the design);
• замыкает на «массу»; P0136 - the second oxygen sensor "Kalina" closes to "mass";
• P0140 - an open in the chain of the second probe.

Modifications of lambda probes for "Kalina"

After detecting a malfunction of the lambda probe, hurry to replace it. This, of course, will cost you not cheap (about 2500 rubles), but with a broken sensor it is better not to go. устанавливается с завода. Before replacing the device, ask what oxygen sensor in the "Kalina" is installed from the plant. It is this model that should be bought for replacement.

The first "Kalin" models, corresponding to Euro-2 standards, were equipped with Bosch probes (catalog number 0 258 005 133). The same sensors were also used for later models as the first probe.

At present, devices of the same Bosch company are more often used, but already 0 258 006537 modifications. They differ from previous sensors by the presence of a heating element.

Replacement of the oxygen sensor on the "Kalina"

In order to replace the lambda probe, it is not necessary to contact the service. If you are sure of its malfunction and have already bought a new device, you can install it on your own. To do this, you need:

• The key to "10";
• Liquid against rust (WD-40 or similar);
• The key to "22".

The order of work is as follows:

1. We set the car on a level platform. If the engine is hot, let it cool down.
2. Using the key to "10", unscrew the bolt on the "negative" terminal of the battery. Remove the terminal.
3. Find the sensor, detach the connector from the power wires from it.
4. We process the connection between the probe and the collector liquid against rust. We give time to "work" for it.
5. The key to the "22" is twisted sensor. In its place we establish a new one. Plug the connector.
6. We attach the "minus" terminal to the battery, fix it.

Here, in principle, and the whole work. Now it remains to start the engine and check its operation at idle. If the warning light went out and the power unit started to work with a noticeable improvement, then we did everything right.

As you can see, nothing complicated in the device, or in replacing the oxygen sensor "Lada Kalina" is not. It is important only to notice the fault in time and to eliminate it. And that the lambda probe of your car served as long as possible, refuel it with high-quality fuel.