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Component description for NOx sensor control unit - GF14.40-P-3024MMG

ENGINE 276.9 in MODEL 166 up to model year 2016 with CODE 920 (Direct petrol injection with stratified charging) 

Shown: the exhaust system 

Fig 1: Identifying NOx Sensor Control Unit Components
G10076436Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Location 

In every exhaust system stream, there is a NOx sensor with permanently attached NOx sensor control unit.

The NOx sensors are screwed into the exhaust pipes.

The NOx sensors control units are located on the underfloor.

Task 

The NOx sensors detect the NOx and the O 2 - concentration in exhaust downstream of every NOx storage catalytic converter and pass this information to the NOx sensor control units in the form of voltage signals. These process the information and transmit it via drive train sensor CAN (CAN I) to the ME-SFI [ME] control unit (N3/10).

Input and output signals 

The NOx sensors control units evaluate the following input signals and send the corresponding output signals:

Direct input signals 

CAN input signals from the ME-SFI [ME] control unit 

CAN output signals to the ME-SFI [ME] control unit 

Body 

Fig 2: Identifying NOx Sensor Control Unit Body Components
G10076437Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Every NOx sensor (double chamber sensor with evaluation circuit) is inseparably connected via an 8-pin signal line with the NOx sensor control unit.

An integral sensor heater which is controlled by the respective NOx sensor control unit ensures rapid readiness to operate of the NOx sensors.

Function 

The active ceramic probe bodies consist of many layers with two reaction chambers. The oxygen (O2 ) in the exhaust is detected in the first chamber, as in an oxygen sensor. To do this, a pump voltage is applied to the electrodes in the first chamber. This causes the O2 molecules to be broken down into double charged oxygen ions and for them to be pumped out of or into the first contact cavity (depending on whether richer or leaner exhaust gas is present) until a 450 mV voltage difference at the electrodes is reached. The oxygen concentration is calculated from the size of the required pump current "Ip1".

The nitrogen oxide is split at the ground electrode into nitrogen and oxygen in the second chamber if present. The oxygen is pumped out if the chamber again. The concentration of the nitrogen oxides in the exhaust is calculated from the resulting pump current "Ip2".

The voltage signals from NOx sensors are transmitted to the respective NOx sensor control unit and processed there. The NOx sensor control units send the NOx and the O2 concentration to the ME-SFI [ME] control unit via drive train sensor CAN. Using this information, the exhaust treatment can be monitored in stratified operation (lean-burn operation) of the engine and thus the NOx storage catalytic converter purging can be controlled.

The NOx sensors also recognize damage and "sulfur poisoning" of the NOx storage catalytic converters. A desulfuring process can be initiated as a reaction by the ME-SFI [ME] control unit by increasing the temperature of the NOx storage catalytic converters.

Schematic function diagram of the NOx sensor (double chamber sensors) 

Fig 3: NOx Sensor Schematic Function Diagram
G10076438Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA
Wiring diagram for gasoline-DI control unit N3/10 Vehicle connector PE07.08-P-2101-97NAC