How Challenger Oxygen Sensors Work

An O2 sensor is an oxygen sensor. These devices work by tapping into the Challenger’s exhaust system and getting a live reading of the contents of the exhaust coming from the engine.

This unit tells the ECU how the engine is running. The system can tell if the engine is running too rich or too lean based on how much unburned oxygen is present and the ECU can make the appropriate adjustments to keep the engine fine-tuned regardless of how it’s being driven.

The oxygen sensors are hooked into the Challenger’s exhaust system. The Challenger has a total of four oxygen sensors.

The upstream sensors are located right on the exhaust manifolds, and the downstream oxygen sensors are located on the catalytic converters. The Challenger's four oxygen sensors to make sure that the system can detect any unburned oxygen in the system to ensure that appropriate changes can be made.

Upstream vs Downstream: Upstream and downstream oxygen sensors work identically. Both will work to pick up readings of unburned oxygen and both send a signal to the ECU in order for the proper adjustments to be made. The use of a downstream O2 sensor is to keep a reading of the catalytic converter's efficiency.

The oxygen sensors and ECU are responsible for keeping your engine from running too lean or too rich. The right amount of fuel being burned at all times is what makes the modern marvel of electronic fuel injection so effective.

By preventing too much or too little fuel from being burned actively, the engine will be producing the best possible power and performance at all times. They also reduce the risk of ruining an engine with an improper tune.

Dangers of Running Rich: If an engine is running rich too much fuel is being sent to the combustion chamber. An engine produces power by burning fuel; this doesn’t mean that more fuel is more powerful. If there is too much fuel in the cylinder not all of it will burn during combustion. This will cause hardship on the plugs and the catalytic converters. Excess fuel can run off into the oil pan of the engine and will reduce the quality of the oil. Other problems with running too rich include running the engine hot and reduced fuel economy.

Dangers of Running Lean: If an engine runs lean this means that not enough fuel is being burned. The problems an engine will run into include poor fuel economy and overheating. Fuel works to help keep the moving parts cool and if there isn’t enough present the parts can become severely damaged.

When an oxygen sensor begins to fail the engine's performance will suffer. The engine can still run, but it will not be able to run as well.

Some of the symptoms your Challenger may have when an oxygen sensor fails include rough idle, hard start issues excessive fuel consumption and an overall reduction in engine performance.

Shorty headers are designed to bolt in place of the factory exhaust manifolds. Long-tube headers aren’t as easy on the owners of the car – or the owner’s pocketbook, though the performance is worth it.

Oxygen sensors will need to be relocated and this can prove to be a bit of an issue. Relocating the oxygen sensors is one of the issues that you will likely run into.

Ideal Sensor (Re)-Location: Relocating the sensors is a task but isn’t something that will take an excessive amount of effort. If you have to find a new location for an oxygen sensor you can add the bung to the collector of the header or you can find a section on the exhaust pipe directly behind the header. Even if the area is predetermined you will also need a harness extension as the oxygen sensor will be moved a considerable distance from its original mounting location. 

If you are building a Challenger for the track and are ditching the catalytic converters, the downstream oxygen sensors won’t be necessary to keep a tab on the efficiency of the catalytic converters. An O2 eliminator can be used to keep the engine from throwing engine codes.

Should You Delete Cats?: Many owners of vehicles delete the cats to improve horsepower and sound quality. If this is the case the use of an O2 sensor eliminator is well worth the investment. By keeping the engine light off the dash you will have a better chance of picking up on other issues in the operating system as they occur.