Symptoms of a Bad Oxygen Sensor in a Pontiac Bonneville
- An engine can develop certain symptoms with a faulty oxygen sensor.engine image by goce risteski from Fotolia.com
The oxygen sensor in your Pontiac Bonneville monitors the exhaust gases produced by the engine and adjusts the car's fuel based on the data. This is a real time type of adjustment, meaning that the sensor is constantly measuring and making adjustments while the car is running. Failure of the part can cause several different symptoms that may lead the driver to suspect a faulty sensor. - Among the symptoms of a faulty oxygen sensor is a group of problems that can best be described as "performance issues." Poor pick up, stalling or hesitation can be indicative of a bad oxygen sensor in a Pontiac Bonneville. Starting problems are also a good sign of such an issue. Of course, any of these problems can be caused by other components in your car, so it's not a definitive diagnosis.
- Pontiac Bonnevilles manufactured after 1996 are equipped with an oxygen sensor light. If that light is illuminated, the sensor has most likely failed. Bonnevilles not equipped with this feature have other lights which may indicate an oxygen sensor failure, such as the "Service Engine Soon" or "Check Engine" lights.
- A faulty oxygen sensor in a Pontiac Bonneville can cause the car to fail an emissions test. It can also create a "rotten egg" smell. Another symptom is decreased fuel economy, which is typically the first sign of trouble with the oxygen sensor.
