Circuit/System Description

Heated oxygen sensors (HO2S) are used for fuel control and post-catalyst monitoring. Each HO2S compares the oxygen content of the surrounding air with the oxygen content in the exhaust stream. Each HO2S must reach operating temperature to provide an accurate voltage signal. A heating element inside each of the HO2S minimizes the time required for the sensor to reach operating temperature. Voltage is provided to the heater by an ignition voltage circuit through a fuse. With the engine running, ground is provided to the heater by the HO2S heater low control circuit, through a low side driver within the engine control module (ECM). The ECM uses pulse-width modulation (PWM) to control the HO2S heater operation to maintain a specific HO2S operating temperature range.