Oxygen sensor (lambda probe) VAZ-2110

Purpose

A lambda probe (oxygen sensor) is necessary for the normal functioning of ignition systems and the preparation of a combustible mixture. Measuring the oxygen content in the exhaust gases passing through the exhaust tract, it transmits the received data to the ECU. Pre-installed software processes the received information and optimizes the composition of the combustible mixture, as well as the ignition timing, which allows:

• Develop maximum engine power in all operating modes.
• Reduce fuel consumption.
• Reduce the content of harmful substances in exhaust gases.

This becomes possible when a stoichiometric combustible mixture containing fuel and oxygen necessary for its combustion in certain proportions enters the cylinders. Measured in kilograms, the optimal ratio of air to gasoline is 14.7:1, and in calculations is denoted by the letter λ (lambda), borrowed from the Greek alphabet. Hence the name - lambda probe.

How to determine that the DC is faulty

Motorists often ask what symptoms of failure may occur with a faulty oxygen sensor. Here are the most common of them:

1. Unstable starting of a cold and hot engine.
2. Errors appeared on the dashboard. Signs of DC malfunction are failures P0137 and P0578. They also often occur when the DTOZH malfunctions, so a check is needed.
3. There is too much fuel consumption at short distances.
4. Ignition of the working mixture in the cylinders.
5. Exhaust gases that are black or bluish-black are also signs of a DC malfunction. This may also indicate a poor quality fuel mixture.
6. The engine begins to "trouble". Extraneous sounds are observed. Which indicates that the driver has been using a low-quality fuel mixture for a long time.

Device

Structurally, the VAZ-2110 oxygen sensor is designed in the same way as similar devices installed on other cars. It consists of:

• Housings with a protective tip in which slots are made.
• Two electrodes, one of which (internal) is made of zirconium, and the other (external) is made of platinum.
• Wires with a connector with which the lambda probe is connected to the vehicle's on-board electrical wiring.

The principle of operation of the sensor is based on the potential difference between electrodes heated to 300 - 400 °C. The higher the difference, the less oxygen is contained in the exhaust gases.

Debugg

Wiring repair

In case of mechanical damage or violation of the integrity of the wiring, the damaged area is repaired or the electrical wiring of the oxygen sensor is replaced.

If the connection of the wires to the sensor is broken or it is oxidized, you should clean and recheck the operation. However, if the electrical wiring connector is damaged, replacement of the wires is also necessary.

Cleaning the sensor

A malfunction of the lambda probe is sometimes associated with an accumulated layer of soot on the protective casing and the internal electrode. In order to clean the oxygen sensor on a VAZ 2110 in an effective way, you need to soak it in orthophosphoric acid (or in a rust converter).

The VAZ oxygen sensor is turned off and dismantled in advance. The protective casing of the outer electrode is removed or sawed off. The device is then immersed in the cleaning agent for 20 minutes. In this case, the accumulated layer should independently detach from the sensor surface. Cleaning with a brush made of soft material is allowed.

The protective cover must then be reinstalled using spot welding or soldering.

After cleaning, the 2110 oxygen sensor must be washed, allowed to dry, installed in the exhaust manifold and the test repeated.

Replacement

If during diagnostics a faulty VAZ 2110 oxygen sensor was identified and its replacement is required, you must:

• turn off the car and turn off the ignition;
• cool the engine to an acceptable temperature that will allow contact with its exhaust manifold;
• disconnect the lambda probe wiring;
• remove the oxygen sensor using a suitable wrench;

• install a working VAZ oxygen sensor that has the appropriate markings for a specific engine model;
• connecting contact wires;
• starting the engine and rechecking its operation.

Location

During production, changes were repeatedly made to the design of the VAZ-2110. Therefore, depending on the specific modification of the car, the lambda probe may be located in different places:

• In the upper part of the exhaust pipe, near the resonator (on models of early years of production).
• On the exhaust manifold, in front of the catalytic converter (on new 1.6 liter engines).

The latest models of cars, equipped with sixteen-valve engines, were equipped with two oxygen sensors, one of which is located in front of the catalytic converter, and the other behind it.

Lambda probe sensor pinout table

What does a lambda probe consist of?

Symptoms of a problem

The main culprit for the failure of the lambda probe is low-quality fuel, due to which carbon deposits form on the electrodes, causing overheating of the contacts. Wire breaks occur less frequently. Most often, the driver finds out about a breakdown when the CHECK ENGINE lamp lights up, and computer diagnostics issues a fault code P0131. But it also happens that the ECU, for some reason, does not see the problem. In this case, the driver may suspect something is wrong, based on the following characteristic signs:

• Increased fuel consumption.
• Deterioration of the traction characteristics of the internal combustion engine.
• Unstable operation of the motor (vibrations, dips, floating speed).

If suspicion arises, it is necessary to first carry out a visual inspection. If there are no mechanical damages, control measurements should be taken.

Instrument testing

For such work, you can use a tester, oscilloscope or digital voltmeter. Considering the features of these devices, a voltmeter would be the optimal solution.

Examination

The check sequence will be as follows:

1. Start the engine and let the car warm up.
2. Next, we find the element we are interested in. If there are soot deposits or other external signs of a malfunction, there is no point in carrying out further testing with instruments. And so it is clear that it is out of order and needs to be replaced.
3. Also check the condition of the wiring, the presence or absence of mechanical damage on the device.
4. If everything looks fine, unplug the connector and connect a voltmeter.
5. Now you can start the engine.
6. Press the gas pedal in neutral to reach the 2500 rpm mark. After this, release the pedal.
7. Remove the vacuum tube from the fuel pressure regulator.
8. We check the oxygen sensor for functionality. To do this, look at what the voltmeter shows. If the reading is 0.8 volts or less, the probe is not working.
9. It would be a good idea to check the device for a lean mixture. To do this, you need to turn on the air intake using a vacuum tube.
10. If the voltmeter reads 0.2 W or less, the oxygen sensor is working normally. Deviation from these indicators indicates a breakdown of the device. Therefore, it needs to be replaced.

Article on the topic: Replacing the master brake cylinder on a VAZ 2109

Examination

To detect faults, it is best to visit a service center and seek help from diagnostic mechanics who have special equipment at their disposal. If this is not possible, you can arm yourself with a multimeter and perform a series of control checks. To do this you will have to:

• Attach thin needles to the tips of the multimeter. They are necessary in order to take measurements without disconnecting the sensor from the electrical wiring.
• Warm up the engine to operating temperature. Only in this case will the lambda probe begin to function, and the results obtained will be correct.
• With the ignition on, measure the voltage between the signal (black) wire and ground (gray wire). On the connector these are terminals 1 and 2. It is normal if you get a reading of 0.45 - 0.50 volts.
• Measure the resistance between the white wires (terminals 3 and 4). It should be in the range from 2 to 10 ohms.
• Start the engine and measure the voltage between the signal wire and ground again. It should change cyclically, every 1.5 - 2 seconds, within 0.1 - 0.9 volts.

If at least one of the indicators is outside the specified limits, the lambda probe is faulty and should be replaced. Measurements taken with the connector disconnected from the electrical wiring may be incorrect.

Price

Even on a VAZ-2110 of the same year, there are oxygen sensors not only with different catalog numbers, but also from different manufacturers. Most often this is Lada 2112-3850010-20. Prices for this part in stores range from 2200 – 3200 rubles. But you can also choose a replacement from a reputable brand. Among the possible options:

• Bosch 0 258 006 537 (2300 – 2700 r).
• NGK 1628 (2500 – 2800 r).
• Era 570023 (1700 – 2000 rubles).

All these components will normally fulfill their purpose.

Replacement

To remove/install the lambda probe, you must first warm up the engine to operating temperature and then turn it off. It is very difficult to unscrew the part when it is cold. After reaching the desired temperature, be careful not to get burned:

• Disconnect the connector.
• Armed with an open-end or socket wrench, first move the sensor from its place, and then unscrew it and carefully remove it from the socket.
• Make sure the socket is not damaged. Sometimes scale mounds form in it, which can damage the new part during installation. If there are any, they will have to be removed with a file.
• Install the new sensor and tighten it properly.
• Connect the connector to the electrical wiring.

If you do everything correctly, no problems should arise.

Restoring the performance of the lambda probe by cleaning

In some cases, the oxygen sensor stops working only because the holes in the protective screen and the ceramic tip itself are covered with soot. To restore the working capacity of the part, it is necessary to clean the lubricating zone from soot, but when performing such work, you must follow certain rules. It is important not to use for cleaning:

• metal brushes;
• sandpaper;
• files;
• other objects that can damage the ceramic element.

The best method to get rid of contaminants is to soak the ceramics of the lambda probe in a solution of orthophosphoric acid, but to do this, you must first carefully saw off the protective cap. If acid cannot be found, you can use a rust converter, which is sold in stores selling auto chemicals. Of course, to clean the part from soot deposits, the sensor must be removed.

To soak a ceramic tip, it must be placed in liquid for 15-20 minutes; the soot should disappear from the surface on its own. If the deposits are not completely removed, they can be cleaned with a soft toothbrush. After the procedure, you need to secure the protective screen using camp welding. When it is not possible to restore the lambda's functionality, there is only one option left - to buy a new oxygen sensor.

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