Newport News Auto Repair

Oxygen sensors were introduced to automobiles in the 70s and 80s, and they are here to stay in our emissions system. This small piece is in charge of monitoring the amount of oxygen running through the engine and unburned oxygen in the exhaust. They can be found near the catalytic converter and in each of the exhaust manifolds. When the sensor reads abnormal amounts of oxygen, it will trigger the check engine light. 

While it is not common for everybody, oxygen sensors can fail or wear out over time. So, that might be another reason why your check engine light is on. However, low levels or high levels of oxygen can also be cause for concern.

The o2 sensors communicate with your electronic control unit (ECU) to compute a balanced air to fuel ratio for your engine to achieve the best performance while still maintaining efficiency. That is why faulty oxygen sensors or poor oxygen levels will ultimately lead to a failed emissions test. Furthermore, you should have a professional mechanic evaluate your vehicle’s condition. There could be a bigger issue at hand that is causing your oxygen levels to be off.

If your engine light is recently illuminated on your dashboard, you should check your oxygen sensors. We welcome you to bring your car to B & L Automotive for a diagnostics scan test. Our professional mechanics will uncover the source of the problem and let you know whether your oxygen sensor is faulty.