Oxygen Sensor Information

[VagrantChrisX]

I have a 1994 6 CyL 3.4L Chevy Camaro Hactchback
I've been having problems with my Check Engine Light for awhile, the thing just comes on when it wants to, and sometimes it doesn't even come on at all. I have come to believe maybe it's a Faulty O2 Sensor.

Could you please let me know what exactly does the O2 Sensor does?
What symptoms occur with a faulty sensor?
and if I may have a Front and Rear Sensor and whats the difference?
thanks for your help.

[Mark B]

Why do you think its the O2 sensor if you dont know what it does?
The O2 Sensor measures the amount of leftover oxygen in the exhaust. This tells the computer if its adding too much or not enough fuel into the engine. The only way to tell if your sensor is bad is to find out what code the car is throwing.

[Injuneer]

I'll cast another vote for "get it scanned". It serves no useful purpose to guess at the cause of the light.... you may be right, or it may be one of the 25 or 30 codes related to other parts of the PCM/sensors/actuators.

Your 94 is "OBD-I". It doesn't have "rear" sensors. The after-cat sensors were added to OBD-II systems, to measure whether the catalytic converter was working. OBD-I only uses pre-cat sensors.

[Joe 1320]

I'll cast another vote for "get it scanned". It serves no useful purpose to guess at the cause of the light.... you may be right, or it may be one of the 25 or 30 codes related to other parts of the PCM/sensors/actuators..

Another vote for the above.

[97LT1Z28]

To sum it up, go to your local auto parts store and see if they offer free scanning - Autozone does. They will give you the code which will reveal what part is acting up. Then, you can choose whether to do it yourself or get a shop to do it for you. If no one in your local area offers free scanning, you can pay a small fee to most shops for a scan. Hope you get it fixed. Along the way, feel free to write again with any questions.