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Whats the difference bewteen Camshaft Sensor and Oxygen Sensor for cars?

I'd like to find out if there is any difference between Camshaft sensor and Oxygen Sensor of a car or are they noth the same thing. If they're not the same thing then what odes each one respectievely do. Thanks

Update:

I'd like to find out if there is any difference between Camshaft sensor and Oxygen Sensor of a car or are they noth the same thing. If they're not the same thing then what does each one respectievely do.

The engine management light come up on my Mitsubishi carisma and the engine shuts down compleitely thereafter. recently SkyNews have been telling the viewers that the petrol suplied by Tesco in London was dodgy hence its due to that. Thanks

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Cam sensor tells the computer at which position the camshaft is. Oxygen sensor monitors how much oxygen content is in the exhaust. Two different sensors. Cam sensor deals with timing and oxygen sensor deals with fuel mixture.

    --Added--It is mentioned below that the oxygen sensor works with the egr. This is not true. Not all vehicles that have oxygen sensors have Egr valves. Oxygen sensors only monitor they do not command or control. Egr's control the amount of exhaust gas put back into the intake system to reduce NOx emissions. So neither of the two below replies is fully correct.

    Chawk your way off. The cat is used to reduce all emissions unless it’s a two-way catalyst. A three-way catalyst reduces NOx. Rambo some, most of your newer vehicles do have another oxygen sensor after the cat. The other oxygen sensor does monitor your catalyst efficiency but does not monitor your emissions. Some Trucks you will find four oxygen sensors. Some vehicles will also use lean-air-fuel sensor.

    Talha M the information I and most of the replies have given to you should answer your question about what the two sensors do and the differences between them. If you would like too know more details you can try How Things Work website or you can go to your local library and find books related to the two sensors. Even better you can take a class on auto repair. If your check engine light comes on than you will have trouble codes stored in your vehicles computer memory that will help a mechanic (technician) find out what is wrong with your vehicle. Here in America you can go to AutoZone to have these codes pulled for free. Yes if gas (petrol) is not fit for your vehicles then it will cause internal problems. But you really can’t believe everything you here on the news and knowing if that’s true or not won’t get your car fixed. Take it to an honest shop.

  • 1 decade ago

    The Camshaft Sensor tells the computer what position the camshaft is in. This way your computer can tell the vehicle the position for starting purposes as well as most engines will stop running if this sensor is unplugged or goes out. The O2 sensors in combination with each other to monitor how your catalytic converter is cleaning up your exhaust for emissions purposes. Your car can run with a bad O2 sensor you car can not run with a bad Camshaft Sensor.

    Chawk is wrong here because we are only thinking of ONE O2 sensor when Newer vehicles have TWO O2 sensors and their job is to monitor the exhaust.

  • 1 decade ago

    "Never Forget" has the correct answer. There is also one other possibility. Since the camshaft position sensor picks up the cam position, if the sensor is bad and the cam position is off, you could be getting an off reading from the o2 sensor.

  • 1 decade ago

    rambo is partially wrong the o2 sensor doesnt monitor anything your cats are doing in alot of cars your o2 sensor is placed before the cat. an o2 sensor only monitors the oxygen level in your exhaust. a cats purpose is to solely reduce nox

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  • 1 decade ago

    The oxygen sensor is in the exhaust system. It aids the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve to send unburned gases back through for reburn. For cleaner exhaust.

    You camshaft sensor registers the position of the camshaft for engine firing/timing.

  • mick
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    Both previous answers are correct.

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