This
oxygen sensor is made by
Volks Elektronik Company, Ltd. in
cooperation with Fortes Automotive Electronics Co., Germany at Suzhou Industrial Park, China. It uses a zirconium thimble for oxygen sensitivity. The primary
benefit of zirconium is its high-temperature stability and lack of chemical reactivity. The sensor measures the difference between the oxygen content in a
reference volume (the air) and the exhaust gases. A voltage differential is created by the oxygen demand/surplus between the air reference and the exhaust gasses.
Among the sensor manufacturers, Volks maintains a 1% market share.
Oxygen Sensor Electrical Characteristics
The output signal voltage: fuel ratio (into) =1.1-30mV ~ 100mV
Air-fuel ratio (into) =0.97=850mV
Response time: 600mV-300mV=200ms; 300mV-600mV=200ms
Life: real vehicle test average life of 100,000 miles (under normal use).
| Volkse O2 Sensor |
| Feature | Unit | Min Value | Max Value |
| |
| Oxygen sensor top working temperature | ºC | 350 | 800 |
| Storage temperature range | ºC | -40 | 100 |
| After the heater switch on the support of the exhaust gas temperature | ºC | 50 | 800 |
| Heater switch on the maximum temperature allowed | ºC | | 900 |
| Hexagonal shell working temperature sensor | ºC | | 650 |
| Cable glands working temperature | ºC | | 250 |
| Connector cable at operating temperature | ºC | | 150 |
| Joint working temperature | ºC | | 150 |
| Maximum load current | µA | | ± 1 |
| Heating heater rated voltage | V | 12 | 12 |
| Insulation resistance between the heater and the sensor | MegaOhms | 100 | |
| Sensor resistance 350 C | Ohms | | 500 |
| Sensor resistance 800 C | Ohms | | 300 |
| Air-fuel ratio range | | 12<=A / F<=17 | |
| The output voltage | mv | 0 | 1000 |
| Response time | ms | | 200 |
| Life - Use unleaded gasoline only | km | 80000 | |
Oxygen Sensor Failure Modes
1. The oxygen reactivity of zirconium in the presence of leaded fuel causes a layer of lead oxide to bond to the zirconium surface, rendering the sensor useless.
Don't use leaded fuels.
2. Exposure of the heated sensor to liquid water would result in reactivity releasing hydrogen, which embrittles the zirconium surface.
Position the sensor so that water from condensation (a natural byproduct of combustion) would not collect in the sensor.
3. Physical covering of either the sensed or reference sides of the sensor with oil, grease, dirt or dust.
Keep them clean.
4. Subjecting the sensor to impact loads can break the zirconium coated ceramic sensor element.
Avoid dropping them.
5. Wire damage can cause the heater to malfunction or the signal to degrade.
Last update: Dec 7th, 2019
