We Take The Hassle Out of Selling Your Car
Home » Car Care Blog » What Are Oxygen Sensors and How They Trigger a Cars Check Engine Light?
Oxygen sensors, also called O2 sensors, are small but powerful components inside your car’s exhaust system. Their job is to monitor the level of oxygen in the exhaust gases and send that information to your car’s computer, known as the engine control unit (ECU). This allows the ECU to adjust the air-fuel ratio so your engine runs efficiently and your emissions stay low.
Most vehicles have two to four oxygen sensors. The upstream O2 sensors are located before the catalytic converter and monitor the air-fuel mixture coming out of the engine. On some car the upstream oxygen sensor is called the Air Fuel ratio Snsor. The downstream O2 sensors are located after the catalytic converter and check how effectively it reduces harmful emissions.
Oxygen sensors are small parts that play a huge role in engine performance and emissions. When they fail, they can trigger codes like P0130, P0135, P0141, P0150, P0155, P0161, P0420, and P0430, all of which turn on the check engine light. Fixing the issue early can save you from expensive catalytic converter replacements.
If repairs cost more than you want to spend, you can still sell your car with a check engine light on. At Los Angeles Cash for Cars, we buy cars with oxygen sensor problems, catalytic converter issues, and check engine light codes. Serving Venice, Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Culver City, and Beverly Hills, we pay top dollar and offer same-day pickup.
Call (310) 893-0162 today for a fast, no-obligation cash offer.