PCM Diagnostics & Tuning HP Tuners | Holley | Diablo

How can I check O2 sensor with volt meter?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 13, 2002 | 08:40 AM
  #1  
TaTommyWS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 996
Likes: 0
Default How can I check O2 sensor with volt meter?

Is there a way to check each O2 sensor, from the harness, with a simple digital volt meter. Is there some specific resistance I should check for, or is it impossible to do since the sensors need to be heated, which means the car running, which means burning my hands off!
Thanks <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2002 | 02:20 PM
  #2  
eallanboggs's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans
Default Re: How can I check O2 sensor with volt meter?

I didn't try this method on an O2 sensor, but it worked on my TB. Get two alligator jumpers (a black one for gnd and a red one for HOT). Hook the jumpers up to the meter. Clamp the black jumper to a clean metal surface. Clamp the red alligator jumper to a small sewing needle or sewing push pin. Push the needle thru the insulation of the wire you want to measure without having to strip the insulation at all. It worked really well for me when doing my TB mod.
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2002 | 02:21 PM
  #3  
eallanboggs's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans
Default Re: How can I check O2 sensor with volt meter?

I didn't try this method on an O2 sensor, but it worked on my TB. Get two alligator jumpers (a black one for gnd and a red one for HOT). Hook the jumpers up to the meter. Clamp the black jumper to a clean metal surface. Clamp the red alligator jumper to a small sewing needle or sewing push pin. Push the needle thru the insulation of the wire you want to measure without having to strip the insulation at all. It worked really well for me when doing my TB mod.
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2002 | 05:28 PM
  #4  
jimmyblue's Avatar
Moderator
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 12,604
Likes: 7
From: East Central Florida
Default Re: How can I check O2 sensor with volt meter?

The o2 sensor is basically a fuel cell.
You need it to be at operating temp and
have some exhaust running by it, to see
anything but zero volts. It has a pretty
high output impedance, so an old-style
analog VOM won't do (it messes up the
output fidelity) and the resistance
should read very high.

Just look at the volts with the car running,
should be bopping around between 0 and 1.0V
(ideally spending most of its time between
0.3 and 0.7V).
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:01 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE