Hello,
Got a quick question about oxygen sensors or any sensor for that matter. If one were to go bad is it broken. Or can they malfunction but will still work once in awhile.

well i called a dealership today and found out that sensors can fail then continue to work

o2 sensors can fail and not even make the check engine light come on, until it causes the motor to lean out or rich out. Than after that is done, the check engine light will come on. Remember that we have an OBD III set-up so our computer is sensitive and will check itself at every drivecycle. After the sensors go bad and cause something else to go bad, boom check engine light. Do you have a bad sensor? :?

Turns out my sensor is ok. It was the oxygen sensor I was worried about. Also, I forgot to mention this question was related to my VW jetta I am fixing up to hopefully increase resale value. I have a ODB I on that car and the test said my distributor is shorting out so it looks like im changing that thing lol. Should be interesting. I would of liked to trade it in but the dealer was being a donkey. Told me he would give me 600 dollars when similiar cars are in the paper for 4k-6k in good condition. Oh well, gives me a chance to do some learning before i play with my box.