Installing a lambda probe emulator diagram. Various schemes for deceiving the lambda probe. But you can make the spacer yourself

Majority modern cars have special electronic control systems. They save fuel consumption and ensure optimal engine performance. One of the integral elements of the exhaust system is the lambda probe. If it breaks down, the engine starts to operate in emergency mode. Can I fix the problem myself?

The principle of operation of the lambda probe and issues of its repair

The sensor records the amount of oxygen in the vehicle exhaust and transmits it to the control panel. Depending on the probe readings, the computer regulates the level of enrichment of the mixture that is supplied to the combustion chamber. In most models, two probes are installed: one in front of the catalyst, and the second behind it. During operation, oxygen sensors fail; manufacturers recommend cleaning the devices every 30 thousand kilometers.

Many car enthusiasts forget about such recommendations and encounter problems after sunbathing. emergency sign on the panel. Most often, the lambda probe cannot be repaired. The cost of the device is rather high, and replacing it is always very inopportune. Craftsmen found a way out of this unpleasant situation. They suggest using a special car decoy that will allow the engine to operate normally and turn off the hazard warning light. Check Engine.

Advice: Do not completely disable or block one of the sensors; this will not solve the problem and will only lead to increased fuel consumption and unstable engine idling.

How to properly fake an oxygen sensor

Make a fake for on-board computer You can do it yourself in three ways:

• install a mechanical bushing;
• connect simple electronic circuit;
• flash the controller.

Each of the methods quite effectively solves the problem of a failed sensor and returns engine operation to normal.

Mechanical method (with screw-in drawings)

To fool the controller, you need to install a metal sleeve between exhaust pipe and a lambda probe. To make the part you will need:

• metal blank;
• processing machine;
• screwdriver;
• set of keys.

Bronze mechanical blende can be made manually or ordered to be made by a specialist

You can make a part even without special skills, the main thing is to have a good lathe. As a last resort, you can order its production from a familiar specialist.

The shape and dimensions of the sleeve are shown in the drawing.

The part must exactly match the diagram in shape and size

To install a mechanical plug, do the following:

After starting the engine, the Check Engine light should go out. Thus, the sensor moves slightly away from the flow exhaust gases. A mechanical screw-in socket is suitable for most car models, the main thing is that the sensor is screwed into the body.

How to make and install an electronic one (with diagram)

Since the controller receives electronic signals that come to it from the lambda probe, you can install a special decoy circuit. It connects to the wires that go from the sensor to the connector. Installation location at different models different: it can be a central tunnel between the seats, a torpedo or engine compartment. To make an electronic circuit, prepare the following materials:

Before starting work, disconnect the negative terminal. All connections must be well insulated. The best option will place the circuit in a plastic mold and fill everything with epoxy glue.

All connections electronic decoy must be well insulated

You can find ready-made electronic decoys on sale. They use a small microprocessor that analyzes the signal from the first sensor, processes it and generates the necessary indicators for the on-board computer. Such devices are easy to connect, but will cost more than a homemade circuit.

Video of making an electronic sensor fake and checking its operation

Reflashing the controller: is it worth doing it yourself?

Another option for cheating is reflashing the on-board computer itself. By changing the operating algorithm of the device, you block the processing of signals from the second lambda probe. The danger of this method is that if done incorrectly, it will be difficult to restore the computer to its previous operation. The original factory firmware is very difficult to obtain, and its cost is quite high. Therefore, you should entrust such work only to an experienced specialist whom you know personally.

Consequences of installing different types of decoys

When installing decoys, you should take into account that all work is performed at your own peril and risk. If such devices are installed incorrectly, the following malfunctions may occur:

1. Engine malfunction due to incorrect injection adjustment by the on-board computer.
2. Damage to the wiring and controller due to improperly soldered circuitry.
3. Errors when operating the on-board computer.
4. Damage to sensors.

Work with any electronics must be done extremely carefully. Even the slightest inaccuracy can lead to damage, so you need to strictly follow the instructions.

Advice: Do not order fakes on the Internet from dubious sites. Most of them works poorly and will not bring the expected result.

Many car enthusiasts practice decoys of lambda probes. Such devices allow you to save on replacing failed sensors. It is important to make the decoy correctly and install it so that there are no negative consequences for the on-board computer or engine.

Removing the catalyst is a topic that worries many car owners; often instead of catalytic converters, car owners install flame arresters, stingers (“spiders”), this solution allows you to avoid purchasing expensive parts and spend less time repairing the exhaust system. But on cars with two oxygen sensors, physical exclusion of the catalytic element does not give the desired results, and to get rid of errors in the engine control system, an electronic lambda probe is often used.

In this article we will look at how you can deceive the control unit and which methods are most effective. It should be noted right away that not all methods are suitable for a specific car model; each car must be approached individually.

Mechanical snag of the lambda probe

Any automobile catalyst is a muffler can containing metal or ceramic honeycombs coated with a precious metal (gold, platinum, etc.). Thanks to the oxidation reaction, the exhaust gases passing through such a device are cleaned of harmful impurities, and the level of exhaust toxicity is reduced.

The catalytic converter (CN) operates under conditions high temperatures, so its resource is relatively small. The service life of the part is further reduced when low-quality fuel is used - the honeycombs become clogged with carbon deposits resulting from incomplete combustion of the fuel mixture. Buying a new exhaust system is quite expensive, and since it has to be changed quite often, many car owners try to get rid of this element of the exhaust system by installing a flame arrester or stinger.

Simply removing the CN has a side effect: on cars with Euro-4 and higher engines, the oxygen sensor installed behind the catalyst detects that the exhaust toxicity standard is exceeded, as a result of which the Check Engine lamp lights up on the instrument panel. There are three ways to get rid of the error:

• install an additional mechanical spacer;
• make changes to the electrical circuit of the oxygen sensor;
• reprogram the engine control unit.

A mechanical blende is a metal sleeve of a certain length, with a small diameter hole inside. Also in the inside of this device is ceramic chips with a catalytic coating. In essence, the bushing is a mini-catalyst, but here only those exhaust gases that enter the oxygen sensor are purified. It should be noted that there are also simple fakes, made in the form of an ordinary sleeve with a hole, inside which there are no elements. Any turner can make a basic spacer; in this case, it is not necessary to buy a factory product. Advantages of such devices:

• inexpensive price (on average from 400 to 1000 rubles);
• ease of installation;
• reliable and simple design.

However, mechanical blende also has its drawbacks - on some car models it is not possible to install the device (there is not enough space due to design features), the device does not always give the desired effect (the error does not completely disappear). It should also be noted that on cars with Euro-5 engines, the electronic system cannot be fooled with the help of an additional spacer; the Check Engine here still continues to light up.

Do-it-yourself electronic “cheating” circuit

The electronic blende of the oxygen sensor is a circuit included in electrical circuit ECM. By installing additional components, the signal supplied to the control unit is corrected, and the ECU receives data from the sensor as if a catalyst were installed on the car and there were no changes in the exhaust system.

Typically, four-pin lambda probes with an electric heater are upgraded with your own hands; the heating element is necessary to warm up the oxygen sensor on a cold engine - the thing is that the catalyst is activated only after the exhaust system is heated to a temperature of at least 360 degrees Celsius. The heating of the oxygen sensor is powered by the ECU (control unit), and the polarity of the wires does not matter (usually white wires are connected to the heater).

In electronic blende, the electric heater is not subject to modernization; all changes concern only the signal contact. IN the simplest scheme There are two main components - a high-resistance resistor and a capacitor with a capacity of approximately 1 Microfarad, and it usually looks like this:

• the resistor is connected to the signal wire break;
• The capacitor is installed between the ground connector and the signal.

The capacitance of the capacitor and the resistance of the resistor can be different; their value largely depends on the car model and the type of engine installed.

How to make electronic deception on an Opel Zafira car

The deception circuit on the Opel Zafira car is made according to the same principle as described above; to install the decoy you will need a non-polar capacitor of 1 microfarad and a resistance of 1 mOhm 0.5 W. We carry out the installation of a simple device in the following order:

Before starting testing, it is necessary to reset all ECU errors. It should be noted that installing a fake does not always give positive results; in some cases, the error may appear again. The most reliable way is to reprogram the control unit, but here it is important to find the required firmware version.

Oxygen sensor emulator

The lambda probe simulator is effectively used on cars with a removed catalyst or on cars with installed gas equipment; the device is connected to electrical diagram engine control, quite reliably emulates the operation of a real lambda probe. Ready-made factory emulators can be found in retail sales; the basis of the simulator circuit is an electronic timer, in the role of which the popular NE555 microcircuit is most often used.

Basically, industrial emulators are installed after the car is switched to gas - after installing gas cylinder equipment (LPG), the composition of the fuel mixture changes, so the lambda probe detects an increased content of toxic substances in the exhaust gases, and an error appears. Let's look at how to install a simulator of an oxygen sensor of the Zond-4 model on a car with LPG.

Probe-4 is equipped with a three-color LED indicator that indicates the state of the fuel mixture (lean or rich). The indicator light means:

• green color – lean mixture;
• yellow light – the fuel/air ratio is normal;
• red indication – the mixture is over-enriched.

The emulator is mounted in the engine compartment and connected to the car's electrical circuit using four wires. Using Zond-4 is very simple; we connect the wires like this:

After connecting, you should check the operation of Probe-4: the indicator should not light up when running on gasoline; when operating on gas, it should glow green, yellow or red.

Scheme of deception of a lambda probe with a diode

You can deceive the second oxygen sensor on a car in another way, only in this circuit, instead of a resistor, you need to install a diode, for example, brand 1N4148. The trick here is done as follows (using the example of a Mazda 323 with gasoline internal combustion engine 2.0 L):

• cut the signal wire (on Mazda it is black);
• connect the anode of the diode to the lambda probe;
• We connect the other signal output going to the control unit to the cathode;
• We also connect one of the terminals of a non-polar capacitor with a capacity of 4.7 microfarads to the cathode;
• We connect the second capacitor tap to the ground wire (on Mazda it is gray), of course, we solder all the wires.

This scheme allows you to quite effectively get rid of errors in the oxygen sensor circuit, but you need to keep in mind that the lambda probe itself must be in good working order.

Quick check of oxygen sensor functionality

Many car owners have repeatedly confirmed that electronic deception works normally only if the lambda probes on the car are working properly. It’s quite easy to quickly check the functionality of the sensors; for diagnostics you only need a multimeter. We perform the check in the following order:

But it is worth noting that such a check does not give an idea of ​​100% serviceability of the sensor; it only confirms that the lambda probe is in working condition.

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At the present time of strict Euro standards, only outdated models do not experience any problems associated with the exhaust system. The situation is completely different with cars that meet Euro-2 and higher standards. The oxygen sensor in such systems is an integral part that monitors the quality of the mixture and the amount of toxic substances in the exhaust.

In cases where the neutralizer is removed or changed to , the ECU begins to malfunction, causing emergency mode work. At such moments, experienced motorists use a corrector for the operation of the oxygen lambda probe, which allows them to avoid mistakes and continue operating the car.

Before you learn how to make a fake catalyst with your own hands, it would not hurt to familiarize yourself with the arguments in favor of this operation. Vehicles that are structurally compliant with Euro-4 or Euro-5 standards require two oxygen controllers installed before and after catalytic converter. The sensors compare the readings, and if they do not match, the on-board computer concludes that the autocatalyst is faulty or missing altogether. This situation leads to the following consequences:

• The ECU puts the engine into emergency mode when the engine operates according to the specified fuel maps without taking into account the readings of the oxygen sensors.
• On dashboard The “Check Engine” indicator lights up and an enriched fuel mixture enters the cylinders.
• Soot on the spark plugs increases, the power of the internal combustion engine decreases and the oil becomes contaminated.
• Increased fuel consumption entails extra financial costs.

Almost all automakers recommend replacing a faulty converter. But not every car owner will do this, because the price of some copies, for example, for VAZ, reaches 60,000 rubles. It is also worth adding the cost of installing the device. Therefore, many car enthusiasts are interested in what a do-it-yourself catalyst blende is and the scheme for its implementation.

The essence of the emulator's operation is to change the actual sensor readings, after which the ECU switches to normal operation. In this case, the neutralizer itself can be cut out or replaced with a flame arrester. The installation procedure for the simulator is no more complicated than Renault Duster.

How to make your own lambda probe for a car catalyst

To change the readings of the exhaust system oxygen sensor, our car enthusiasts use several methods; the choice depends on the design features of the car and the capabilities of the motorist himself:

1. Mechanical spacer for lambda probe.
2. Spacer for the sensor with built-in minicatalyst.
3. Use of electronic simulators.

How to make a mechanical corrector for the exhaust system?

To implement a mechanical blende for the catalyst yourself, it is recommended to use blanks made of heat-resistant steel or bronze. This way the parts will not be deformed due to high temperature. There are two designs, but both options require a lathe or the help of an experienced turner.

First option

It is a sleeve 40-100 mm long. On one side, a standard sensor is screwed in, and on the other, the circulation of gases is limited by a small diameter hole. The essence of the “device” is that the composition of the exhaust mixture is averaged, because the lambda probe is removed from the gas stream itself and, accordingly, catches fewer toxic substances. Due to this, it is possible to deceive the ECU.

A typical drawing with spacer dimensions can be changed in terms of dimensions, it depends on the model and brand of the car. The optimal inlet diameter remains unchanged - 1.5-2 mm. In some cases, the length of the bushing may not allow it to be installed in its original place. As a result, you have to weld the mount elsewhere in the exhaust pipe.

Second option

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• Exhaust gases enter the bushing body through a small diameter hole.
• In the volume of the spacer, excess CH and CO are subject to oxidation by oxygen, as a result of which the concentration of harmful substances decreases.
• The ongoing processes change the shape of the sinusoid, and electronic system believes that the catalytic converter is operating normally.

A do-it-yourself catalyst blende made according to the above diagram has advantages similar to the previous option. Here the standard probe will be raised by 32 mm, although this is less than 40-100 mm.

Features of spacer installation

The installation procedure is not difficult, and begins with placing the car on an overpass or lift. Next steps occur according to the following scheme:

• Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
• Unscrew the controller.
• Screw the bushing onto the probe.
• Screw the upgraded unit into place.
• Connect the battery.

After the first start, the Check Engine light should go off. The motor will now operate normally.

Do-it-yourself electronic catalyst blende and emulator circuit

A real electronic emulator is a microprocessor device consisting of a single-chip microcircuit. The principle of its operation is based on the formation of an output signal, which in shape corresponds to the information in the working neutralizer. This option is difficult to do on your own, so you should immediately consider a simpler method. To implement it you need to prepare:

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• Electric soldering iron.
• Solder and rosin.
• Knife and side cutters.
• Resistance 200 Kom, power 0.25 W.
• The capacitor is non-polar with a capacity of 4.7 microfarads.

The principle of operation of the system is to average the readings of the oxygen sensor, which is installed after the converter. The method of connecting emulator components is simple and universal. All elements are connected directly to the conductors on-board network car. Before connecting the electronic fake to the catalyst with your own hands, you should disconnect the terminals to eliminate the possibility of a short circuit.

After the implementation of the project, the car demonstrates good dynamics. However, the effect of over-enrichment of the combustible mixture may occur, which causes the deposition of a layer of soot in the exhaust manifold. In addition, on some models error P0133 appears, indicating a low response rate of the lambda probe.

What do spare parts manufacturers offer?

On the shelves of auto stores you can find all kinds of parts for tuning the exhaust system. The production of mechanical simulators of the normal operation of the catalytic converter is made of bronze or chrome-plated steel. The price of such devices ranges from 400 to 800 rubles, and a standard installation at a service station will cost about 500 rubles.

A spacer with a minicatalyst is offered much more expensive than its elementary counterpart, its cost is 1,500-4,000 rubles. Simple electronic emulators industrial production is sold for 1,500-3,000 rubles. The range of prices for flashing ECU software is quite wide - from 1,000 to 30,000 rubles.

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We paid, everything was fine, we started saving and then... The Check Engine light comes on! An indicator that all motorists are afraid of, and which usually does not bode well... You come to the installers, and they inform you that the lambda probe (oxygen) sensor gives an error because the fuel mixture when running on gas does not have the same composition as on gasoline.

And what next, most car owners ask? How to deal with this? And here you are told several options for getting out of the situation, among which will certainly be installing a lambda probe emulator. Here more and more new questions arise, a complete confusion in short, you have the feeling that they are trying to deceive you or again spin you out of money... So, so that you understand what we are talking about and what a lambda probe emulator is and what it is needed for , we decided to write this article. Sit back comfortably, now we will tell you about everything in order in simple and understandable words for you...

To begin with, I’ll tell you “where the legs come from” and why such a problem arises, that is, why the “Check” lights up.

How does a lambda probe work?

An oxygen sensor or oxygen sensor, as well as a lambda probe, is a sensor that monitors exhaust toxicity. How does this happen? When a fuel-air mixture (FA) consisting of oxygen and gasoline (solar or gas) is burned, harmful elements are formed in the exhaust, which pollute the atmosphere. So, in order to prevent pollution, smart people came up with the idea of ​​​​monitoring the toxicity of the exhaust using sensors like these. Lambda monitors what percentage of oxygen is contained in the exhaust and sends data about this to the ECU (in other words, the brain), which in turn concludes whether the mixture is “rich” or “lean” and then decides whether to increase or decrease the fuel supply. The ideal air to fuel ratio is considered to be: 14.7:1. This proportion is called stoichiometric, and it is used as a starting point when setting up fuel equipment and all engine systems as a whole. In addition, it has been proven that this ratio causes minimal harm environment. So, when the engine is in good working order and runs on its familiar native fuel assembly, everything is fine and there is no “check”. But as soon as you install HBO, the composition of the mixture will change significantly, and the lambda, which “stands guard and sees everything,” will notice this one way or another and report it to the “brains,” which will notify you about this with a corresponding inscription on the panel. Learn more about why the “Check” light comes on on a car with HBO. So, we seem to have sorted this out, let's move on.

What is a lambda probe emulator, how does it work and what is it needed for?

A lambda probe emulator is a device that, roughly speaking, “replaces concepts,” that is, it imitates or intercepts and corrects the signal coming from the lambda and sends it further in the required correct form, that is, to the ECU. The lambda probe emulator is installed on injection cars that have oxygen sensors, either during or after installing the LPG. Depending on the type and manufacturer, the emulator copies the lambda probe signal and thereby prevents errors from occurring when the engine is running on a gas-air mixture.

Installing a lambda probe emulator

The emulator is installed in the engine compartment in places protected from moisture and high temperatures. At the same time, the lambda probe emulator should be located in a place where it will be convenient to monitor its operation (signal indicators), and also, if necessary, make adjustments to its operation.

Connecting the emulator

• The blue wire is connected to the gas/petrol switch.
• The white wire is connected to the injector ECU.
• The white-blue wire is connected to the lambda probe.
• The black wire is connected to ground.

Attention!!! An incorrectly connected emulator can lead to undesirable consequences, including complete failure of the standard ECU.

How does this work?

When the engine switches to gas, which the emulator is notified of by a signal from the gas/gasoline switch, a control signal from the lambda probe in automatic mode disconnected from the engine ECU. Instead of a standard signal, the ECU receives emulation, that is, a signal from the lambda emulator. The signal coming from the lambda is transmitted to the emulator and displayed as warning lamps, each of which means the following:

• Green – “poor” mixture;
• Yellow – normal proportion (intermediate state);
• Red is a “rich” mixture.

When the engine is running on regular fuel, that is, gasoline, the signal input and output are short-circuited, while the oxygen sensor signal can freely pass through the lambda probe emulator and exit without any changes.

In general, something like this... I hope now everything is clear to everyone, and the question of what a lambda probe emulator is can be considered closed!? Thank you for your attention and see you again on the pages.

I’m collecting questions about installing a lambda probe emulator, answering them along the way :)

1. Lambda probe emulator. Arrangement of components on the board.

To avoid brainstorming, loss of time and errors in wiring the circuit, I provide an image on which all components are labeled, polarity is indicated (when required) and the values ​​of the components of the lambda emulator are indicated.

This is exactly how the board will appear in front of you after etching. Naturally, this is a rear view, from the side of the tracks, keep this in mind, because... components on this side will be soldered, and on the front side will be :)

2. Which lambda should I choose to install it with a lambda probe emulator?

It’s up to you to choose on this topic. You need a zirconium one, i.e., the one that is available in any auto parts store. On the specialized forums of each car there are entire topics with the answer to this question. But I will write a few numbers later, these are the lambdas that people have and work together with the lambda probe decoy.

3. How to install the lambda decoy correctly?

At the time of writing this article, there were two connection instructions available. The first is a photo of an unknown author, the second is mine) Attached.

Lambda probe emulator. Connection diagram.

Looking ahead, I’ll say that the idea arose to record a video with the process of installing the emulator and comments. I can’t promise anything about the timing yet, but I really hope that the video will be recorded with the arrival of summer warmth) We are waiting, we are monitoring)

Yes, by the way, the diagram above will be supplemented just one of these days...

4. Cars on which it is possible to install a lambda probe emulator.

At this point there will be a complementary list. Supplemented by feedback, it means slowly) You can always help if your car is not on the list.

How to determine which lambda is installed on a car? Get into the car with any stray device that “sniffs” the lambda and look at the numbers or graphs of the lambda. Titanium lambda ranges from 0 to 5 volts, zirconium from 0 to 1 volt.

• Jeep Cherokee XJ. 1987-1991 years of manufacture (year of manufacture)
• Opel Vectra. ????-???? g.v.
• Hyundai V6 - ?????

The most important thing is feedback! If you have questions, write them in the comments, in the form feedback, on Drive, I will supplement the article for subsequent readers)