AA/MKG X XXX XXX XXX/201008 64.64.
XX
How to detect faulty lambda sensors
Information on testing:
For detailed test procedures
and test specifications refer to
ESI[tronic].
Test steps
Testing the lambda sensor heater
Possible causes:
 Relay not switching through
"continuous positive"
 No switched ground connection
from ECU
 Wire break, short to ground or
short to positive
Lambda sensor
Lambda sensor defective
Lambda sensor defective
Wiring harness
Repair/replace wiring harness
Control unit with connector strip
Control unit defective.
Bosch Tips
Systematic Testing of
Lambda Sensors
Failure causes: Symptoms: Possible consequences:
 Electrical faults  Malfunction indicator lamp  Defective catalytic converter
 Mechanical damage (MIL) on  Engine bearing damage due to
 Poisoning/contamination  Driveability problems rough running
 Thermal overload  Unstable idling
 Increased fuel consumption
 Increased exhaust emissions
Testing the lambda sensor signal
Check power supply to lambda sensor
heater.
Test requirements:
 Injection system OK
 Intake system and exhaust tract leak-tight
 Engine warmed-up and idling
No Power supply OK?
Yes
Check heater resistor at ambient Check signal profile
temperature.
Switching lambda sensor:
 Signal swings between approx. 0.1 ...0.9 V
 The greater the voltage excursion, the better
the signal
Test specifications OK?  Frequency between 0.5 ...3 Hz
No
See ESI[tronic]  Voltage below 0.4 V ➔ lean mixture
 Voltage above 0.5 V ➔ rich mixture
Yes
Wideband lambda sensor:
 With lambda = 1 ➔ pump current approx. 0 mA
Warm-up engine.  Pump current below 0 mA ➔ rich mixture
Measure heating current.  Pump current above 0 mA ➔ lean mixture
Does the heating current fall as the
No Lambda sensor defective No Signal profile OK?
temperature rises?
Yes Yes
Check vehicle wiring harness for:
Check vehicle wiring harness for:
 Damage
 Damage
 Corrosion damage
 Corrosion damage
 Contacting faults on the connectors
 Contacting faults on the connectors
 Open circuit, continuity, short to
 Open circuit, continuity, short to ground,
ground, short to positive and contact
short to positive and contact resistances
resistances
Yes Cause(s) found? Repair/replace wiring harness Yes Cause(s) found?
No No
Check control unit: Check control unit:
 Is the reference voltage OK?  Is the reference voltage OK?
 Check connector strip for damage,  Check connector strip for damage,
corrosion and contacting faults corrosion and contacting faults
Yes Cause(s) found? Control unit defective. Yes Cause(s) found?
No No
Lambda sensor heater OK. Lambda sensor signal OK
Clear fault memory, run test drive, Clear fault memory, run test drive,
check fault memory. check fault memory.