P0146 Volkswagen O2 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected Bank 1 Sensor 3
– Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 3 harness is open or shorted
– Heated Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 3 circuit poor electrical connection
– High Fuel Consumption
– Excessive Smoke from Exhaust
The rear heated oxygen sensor (or sensor 3 for some vehicles), after three way catalyst (manifold), monitors the oxygen level in the exhaust gas on each bank. Even if switching characteristics of the heated oxygen sensor 1 are shifted, the air-fuel ratio is controlled to stoichiometric, by the signal from the heated oxygen sensor 3.
This sensor is made of ceramic zirconia. The zirconia generates voltage from approximately 1V in richer conditions to 0V in leaner conditions. Under normal conditions the heated oxygen sensor 3 is not used for engine control operation.