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In Reply to: So what is the O2 sensor's purpose? posted by Jamie on December 23, 2001 at 20:57:27:
The answer is that the sensor affects both emissions and economy.
The sensor reads the amount of oxygen in the exhaust and tells the "brain" how much there is. Too little oxygen means too rich mixture, the brain should lean out a bit. Too much oxygen means too lean, brain should richen it up a bit. (fuel adjustments are made by altering the time the injector stays open, known as pulse width).
That said, you can adjust your Air Flow Meter (AFM) so that the engine doesn't need to use the 02 sensor, this is "open loop". Also, the brain doesn't read sensor input at full throttle, reverting basically to open loop (preset) operation at that mode. The brain knows full throttle by the Throttle Position Switch (TPS).
I suggest that calibration of the AFM for open loop operation is not for the faint of heart. If you're in doubt, have a shop do it, despite it having been done many times be list members.
If you disconnect a working sensor, the engine may revert to a preset, rich, mode, and you'll be able to get home. Obviously, this mode will take an axe to your fuel efficiency, and is not good for a catalytic converter, which chemically "afterburns" the exhaust to create heat and a cleaner exhaust.
Of course, there are many other things that will crap your fuel efficiency also.
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