2696 LUCAS Lambda Sensors Cover_OUT 11/10/05 11:10 am Page 1 2005 XCB462C Lambda Sensors Catalogue The power of Excellence The power of EXCELLENCE Driving the Lucas brand into the future Lucas Electrical Lucas Lighting & Mirrors Lucas Engine Management Lucas Batteries Lucas Starters & Alternators Lucas Warning & Safety Lucas Lambda Sensors Customer Service – Ordering – Delivery promises – Standard enquiries – Returns – Cross references – Applications – Catalogues Tel : 0870 608 0760 Fax : 01675 466 686 New range extensions ............................................. 2 Lambda Sensors – "brought up-to-date" Lambda Sensors – "the story so far"........................ 3 Why OE specification over Universal ....................... 4 Identifying Your Sensor ........................................... 4 Zirconia / Titania....................................................... 5 Wiring – Quick Check List ........................................ 6 Common Wire Colour Variations ............................. 7 Have an Emmission Check Today ........................... 8 Lucas Technical tips ............................................... 9 Lambda Sensor visual check ................................. 10 Lambda Sensors a common misunderstanding ..... 11 Generic names for Sensors and Systems ............. 12 jk h 1 L The power of EXCELLENCE % 2 Lucas Electrical Unit 27 Roman Way Coleshill Birmingham 3 B46 1HQ England © Elta Lighting Ltd. 2005 Trademarks licensed from Lucas Industries Publication No. XCB462C Printed in England 2M / 0305 / BEM 1 Lucas Lambda Sensors Lambda Sensors – "brought up-to-date" Lambda Sensors – "the story so far ..." Over recent years vehicle engine management technology has had to move on, in order to keep up with changing EU Air Pollution Laws. As a consequence Lambda sensor technology has also moved on, which means that the humble Universal Lambda sensor is not so universal any more. With the introduction of ODB, EOBD II engine management systems and Direct Injection petrol engines, it has become necessary to fit a more sophisticated Lambda sensors in the exhaust system. On post 01/00 engine management systems there are two sensors fitted in the exhaust system, one located either side of the catalytic converter. The first sensor in the exhaust system is the regulating Lambda sensor. This sensor is also known as the pre cat sensor or the up stream sensor. The second sensor, which is located after the catalytic converter, is the diagnostic sensor, also known as the post cat sensor or the down stream sensor. ECU Engine Pre Cat. Post Cat. Sensor Sensor Catalytic Converter These sensors are the next generation of sensors and fall into two families. The first type is a Planar sensor and the second type is a UEGO sensor, with 5 or 6 wires. These sensors were developed so the ECU can more accurately meter the fuelling of the engine. These new generation Lambda sensors were first fitted from about January 1996 until it was made compulsory in January 2000. Vehicle applications fitted with these types of sensors need a dedicated, direct fit replacement sensor, with the same technical specification as the one removed. Therefore universal Lambda sensors will not work properly on these types of engine management systems and should never be fitted. So supplier beware*. To this end, this Catalogue has been compiled to help you, the aftermarket supplier, establish which sensor is required to do the job right and first time. 3 Lucas Lambda Sensors Why OE specific over Universal There are two main types of Lambda sensor: Universal It was once generally accepted that seven part numbers would fit 95% of the vehicle parc. Which meant a low stockholding with maximum return. Not so true any more as vehicle technology has moved on and universals will not work on any vehicles produced today. OE Specific Designed to match the OE in fit , form and function. The benefits are simpler to fit and reduced fitting time. The downside is a greater stock inventory is required just to cover the same percentage of the vehicle parc. Today's OE sensors are more technically specific with quicker light off times. There are two main types of Lambda Sensor Great care must now be taken when identifying Lambda sensor's, as more and more sensors are becoming vehicle specific. Colour codes are crucial to getting the job right. European Lambda sensor wire colours generally follow the same rules ZIRCONIA TITANIA Black = signal wire Red = heater + Grey = dedicated earth wire White = heater – White = heater wire Black = signal – White = heater wire Yellow = signal + All Zirconia sensors have a 18mm thread and the Titania sensors can have either 18 mm or 12 mm threads with a red wire. Planar Sensors, which are in the Zirconia family, have no identifying colour changes to the wires. The main differenceis to the probe that goes into the exhaust system, fundamentally it has abigger wattage heater so will bring the sensor to full operating temperature quicker. These sensors will not have a compatatible universal replacement. 4 Lucas Lambda Sensors Difference between Zirconia & Titania Zirconia Zirconia sensors have an 18mm thread size. Zirconia sensors generate a voltage, this voltage will be low if the air / fuel mixture is lean (high Oxygen). If the mixture is rich (low Oxygen) the voltage will be higher. The range is between 0 and 1 Volt. Titania Titania sensors have a 12mm or 18mm thread size. Titania sensors have a voltage supplied from the ECU (electronic control unit) and the sensor varies its resistance in relation to how much oxygen is in the exhaust. To identify this type of sensor, one of the wires is generally Red and the sensors look smaller. Titania Lambda Sensor Zirconia Lambda Sensor E C U E C U Heater Heater earthed earthed via ECU via ECU Signal Heater Signal Heater 12 volt 12 volt supply Sensor supply 5 volt earthed supply via ECU Lucas Lambda sensors Our OE pedigree ensures the highest quality product across all our programmes and Lambda sensors is no exception. 5 Lucas Lambda Sensors Lucas Universal Lambda Sensor You should be aware that there are two basic types of Lambda Sensor. Zirconia which is the most common type and Titania. The four wire universal Zirconia sensors were not so universal from 1997 onwards and unusable after January 2000. The two product types are not interchangeable, we suggest you use the Quick Check List and chart opposite, to establish the correct replacement type. Zirconia Type Standard European Colours BLACK WIRE – Is the signal connection. GREY WIRE – Should be connected to Earth. WHITE WIRES – Should be connected to the heater. These wires are not polarity sensitive so you can connect them either way round. Non European sensors may have different colours see the check list Quick Check List 1 Check the year of the car 2 Count the number of wires on the original sensor. 3 Check the colour of the wires. a) See check list opposite b) If the sensor has one red wire it may possibly be a Titania sensor. Zirconia Type Single Wire = SEB121 Two Wire = SEB122 Three Wire = SEB123 Four Wire = SEB124 Titania Type* Three Wire = SEB230 Four Wire = SEB231 * M18 x 1.5 Check the Applications for post 1998 fitments N/S means a universal sensor is Not Suitable 6 OE universal sensorwhite black Japanese/Korean sensor heater white black ColourVariations Common Wire Japanese / heater Korean black blue signal Applications grey white earth universal sensorwhite black Honda sensor heater white black heater Honda black white Applications signal grey green earth Lucas LambdaSensors AC Delco and universal sensor white brown Peugeot sensors AC Delco & heater white brown Peugeot heater black purple Applications signal grey beige earth Check the Applications for post 1998 fitments N/S means a universal is NOT SUITABLE 7 8 Lucas Lambda Sensors Lucas Technical tips Lambda sensors, unlike other types of sensor fitted to an engine, have an optimum performance life cycle, which generally lasts about 45 000 to 60 000 thousand miles. The decrease in performance happens gradually to a point where the sensor will become tired or lazy. The sensor still works but the reaction times are slow. Regular drivers of the vehicle will not notice this change. Testing a Zirconia Lambda sensor off the vehicle is quite easy, all you need is a vice or a similar means of holding the sensor, a propane torch and a high impedance digital multimeter. WARNING When using propane torches remember to read and follow the manufacturers safety Test using a four wire Zirconia sensor instructions First check the general condition of the sensor if there is any sign of damage change the sensor. Now test the heater circuit for continuity, if the heater has failed change the sensor. now connect the voltmeter red probe to the signal wire (generally black) and the black probe to the earth (generally grey) and set voltmeter to .000 volts. Then with a propane torch heat up the tip of the sensor until it is cherry red. The sensor should give off a reading of nearly 1 volt in a few seconds. If it takes longer than 20 seconds to get a reasonable reading change the sensor. In the case of a 1 or 3 wire sensor the body of the sensor is the earth. (For wire colours see chart). There is only one test you can do on a Titania Lambda sensor off the vehicle and that is to test the heater circuit for continuity. The best way to test these sensors is on the car with an oscilloscope. The signal should switch between 0-1 volt and 0-5 volt, depending on the range of the sensor. One of the most misdiagnosed reasons for changing a Lambda sensor is when the vehicle fails an MOT on ϒ ϒ ϒ ϒ the emission test when the Lambda reading ( ϒ ) is high. This is not a measurement of the Lambda sensor but a calculation of the burn. High Lambda in this case is too much oxygen in the exhaust system; usually a pinhole in the exhaust after the Lambda sensor.