Lambda Sensor Deactivation

The primary function of the lambda sensor is to monitor the amount of unburned oxygen deposits in the exhaust stream of a vehicle as the exhaust gases exit the engine. It also checks whether the catalytic converters are working properly and whether the engine is running at its optimal air-fuel ratio.

Unfortunately, over time, oxygen sensors become clogged with sulfur, lead, fuel additives, and oil ash, leading to malfunctions. Additionally, the sensors operate under extremely high temperatures, which often damages the heater element of the sensor.

When oxygen sensors fail, they stop reading the exhaust gases correctly, leading to an incorrect air-fuel ratio and a poorly running engine. This scenario can be extremely dangerous to the engine and its components. Therefore, in such situations, we may want to deactivate the lambda sensor in the engine control unit.