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Component description for a O2 sensor - GF07.04-P-6100BK

ENGINE 113.967 in MODEL 219 

ENGINE 113.964 in MODEL 164.1 up to Model Year 8 

ENGINE 113.971 in MODEL 251 up to Model Year 8 

Shows model 219 

Fig 1: Locating O2 Sensors
G07302020Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Location 

The O 2 sensors are located in the front part of the exhaust system as follows:

Fig 2: Design Of O2 Sensor
G07302021Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Connector for O 2  sensors in a round and angular version (View of connector on O 2  sensor) 

Fig 3: Identifying O2 Sensor Connectors
G07302022Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Task 

The O2 sensors detect the residual oxygen share in the exhaust and transmit corresponding voltage signals to the ME control unit. The following functions are dependent on the O2 sensor signals:

2  sensor signal from O 2  sensors upstream TWC (control sensors) 

Design 

The sensors used are potential-free insulated O 2 planar sensors. The active sensor ceramic consists of a gas permeable ceramic body made of zirconium dioxide. A protective tube with several slots protects the ceramic body from mechanical stresses and from temperature jumps.

2  sensor signal from O 2  sensors downstream TWC (guide or diagnosis sensors) 

Functional principle 

Fig 4: O2 Sensor Function Diagram
G07302023Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

They are connected electrically by means of a 4-pin connector. The ground cable for the sensor signal for each O2 sensor is routed individually up to the ME control unit.

Function 

The sensor ceramic is conductive for oxygen ions from approx. 300°C. If the oxygen concentration on both sides of the sensor ceramic differs, a voltage is produced at the boundary surfaces as a result of the particular properties of the sensor ceramic (Nernst voltage). This Nernst voltage gives the O2 sensor signal, which is a measurement for the residual oxygen content in the exhaust gas.

The evaluation circuit of the O2 sensor signal (in the ME control unit) gives a so-called counter voltage of approx. 450 mV to the O2 sensor.

If the O2 sensor is cold, the sensor internal resistance is so high that the O2 sensor voltage is initially the same as the back voltage irrespective of the mixture composition.

IMPORTANT if the O2 sensor is unplugged, the counter voltage at the ME control unit can be measured against the O2 sensor signal ground.

2  sensor heater 

The O2 sensors are heated in order to warm up the sensor ceramic rapidly to operating temperature. The sensor heater is actuated by the ME control unit through a ground signal. The heater current in the cold state is increased approximately by the factor 4.

The sensor heater is switched off at coolant temperatures below approx. 20°C and at high engine speeds in order to avoid overheating (thermal shock).

2  sensor signal travels via several signal changes (schematic 

Faults at the O2 sensor can be detected by means of the O2 sensor signal.

Defined limit values must be maintained for the O2 sensor voltage, the duration of the period and for the sensor status change.

Fig 5: O2 Sensor Signal Travel Graph
G07302024Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

sensor signal 

Fig 6: O2 Sensor Signal Graph
G07302025Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

The O2 sensor signal has a steep voltage jump (λ=1) at the transition from a rich to a lean mixture. This property is utilized for the lambda closed-loop control.