1. Incorrect Air-Fuel Mixture: The oxygen sensor plays a crucial role in regulating the air-fuel mixture by providing feedback to the engine's control module (ECM). A faulty oxygen sensor can provide incorrect signals, causing the ECM to adjust the fuel injection accordingly, leading to an incorrect air-fuel mixture.
2. Incomplete Combustion: The incorrect air-fuel mixture resulting from a faulty oxygen sensor can lead to incomplete combustion of the fuel. This means that the fuel does not burn completely, leaving behind unburned fuel and air inside the combustion chamber.
3. Misfire: The unburned fuel and air mixture from incomplete combustion can disrupt the normal combustion process, causing misfires. During misfires, some cylinders may not fire properly, leading to a rough idling engine and reduced power output.
4. Engine Damage: Over time, continuous misfires due to a faulty oxygen sensor can cause significant damage to the engine components, such as spark plugs, pistons, and catalytic converters.
However, it's important to note that a misfire can be caused by various other factors as well, such as spark plug issues, fuel injector problems, ignition coil malfunctions, or mechanical problems within the engine. It is recommended to have your vehicle diagnosed by a qualified mechanic to identify the exact cause of the misfire and address it accordingly.
