Current control for a pumped air reference oxygen sensor

摘要

A method for applying and controlling current applied to an air reference oxygen sensor included in a vehicle exhaust system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method includes measuring an output voltage across the oxygen sensor when the exhaust system is initially activated and applying a current through the oxygen sensor when the output voltage reaches a value determinative of light off of a catalyst within the exhaust system. The magnitude of the applied current corresponds to a predefined purge value.