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  •    

       
    Lambda
    Lambda

    Wavelength
    Wavelength

    A lambda sensor is the same thing as an oxygen sensor. In the USA, they are commonly called oxygen sensors, while most of the world calls them lambda sensors.


    SO WHY DO THEY CALL THEM LAMBDA SENSORS?

    We were hoping you'd ask. As near as we can figure it is a 2 fold answer. The Greek letter lambda equals 1. The purpose of the lambda sensor is to help maintain the fuel ratio at 1 part fuel to 14.7 parts air. Therefore the lambda sensor reports if the fuel is at "1" or "lambda".

    As a second explanation it was offered us that when viewed on a scope, the wave pattern produced by the original oxygen sensors resembled the Greek letter lambda. Therefore they were called a "lambda" sensor. (From what we have seen, lots of oscilloscope wave patterns resemble the Greek letter lambda, so we're suspicious of this 2nd explanation).

    You have our permission to propagate whichever of these two explanations you like, just don’t quote us on either.
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