3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Symptoms of bad O2 sensor?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-30-03, 10:41 AM
  #1  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
themcneal's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Symptoms of bad O2 sensor?

Hello,

Just wondering what the symptoms are of a bad O2 sensor. I am curious if the car running rich is one of the symptoms (since my car is running rich currently).

Can anyone provide some info?

BTW, if it matters, I have dp, catback, high flow cat and stock computer.

Thanks,

Mike
Old 12-30-03, 11:06 AM
  #2  
PV = nRT

 
clayne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: New Zealand (was California)
Posts: 2,250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oscillation in throttle under 3500 rpm when cold (no, not the 3krpm hesitation either).
Old 12-30-03, 02:03 PM
  #3  
Track junkie

 
patfat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Providence, RI
Posts: 1,258
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I belive the check engine light will also come on. How many miles are on the car?
Old 01-03-04, 08:32 AM
  #4  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
themcneal's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
The car has about 120K on it now, with the last 02 sensor replaced around 75K or so, if I remember correctly.
Old 01-03-04, 11:12 AM
  #5  
Nomad Mod

 
Toadman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The O.C.
Posts: 359
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
Hey Clayne, mine rpm-oscillates on cold starting but stops after 3-4 revs as temps climb. It's the AWS coming off line I thought.
Old 01-03-04, 11:22 AM
  #6  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (12)
 
moehler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 2,319
Received 32 Likes on 27 Posts
http://www.oxygensensors.com/

If your worried about it, just get a new one... it's only $45.
Old 01-03-04, 11:29 AM
  #7  
Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
dgeesaman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Fort Kickass
Posts: 12,302
Received 16 Likes on 15 Posts
I just replaced mine yesterday.

Car would have jerking hesistation from 2k-3k when it was in warm-up mode. Now gone, based on my quick test drive.

Replaced with Bosch Universal sensor for $17 from Autozone. Went in only with a crows-foot wrench since the Bosch Uni is bigger on the backside and the turbos blocked getting the O2 sensor socket on. I have a Pettit DP tho - other DPs and precat should be easier.

Dave
Old 01-03-04, 01:27 PM
  #8  
PV = nRT

 
clayne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: New Zealand (was California)
Posts: 2,250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by Toadman
Hey Clayne, mine rpm-oscillates on cold starting but stops after 3-4 revs as temps climb. It's the AWS coming off line I thought.
Toad, it's definitely the O2. The severity of it determines how long it takes to actually get accurate readings.

It's not AWS. I have no AWS w/ a Power FC. When driving the car after starting it up (and even letting it warm up to 180) the car would hestitate and release while at steady state throttle right up until 3500 rpm where it magically stop doing this oscillating throttle.

PFC shows O2 voltages flying back and forth during this time, also INJD varying by about 2-3% as well (what's causing the hestitation as throttle position is constant).

Upon disabling the use of the O2 sensor, within the PFC, I get no hestiation or throttle oscillation under 3500 rpm. This would say to me that my O2 sensor was the culprit.
Old 01-03-04, 02:46 PM
  #9  
PV = nRT

 
clayne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: New Zealand (was California)
Posts: 2,250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I should also add to this:

After driving the car and generating reasonable amounts of boost and EGTs my O2 sensor then works reliably again. This follows the theory that when the sensor itself is going bad it will provide wrong readings when cold, but when the sensor body is warm you will receive accurate enough readings.

My advice: replace the sensor if you still use it.
Old 01-04-04, 01:42 AM
  #10  
Still on 1st engine

 
InsaneGideon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Strange, most cars' ECUs completely ignore the O2 during warmup (open loop) for precisely this reason.

I haven't tinkered with the O2 on my stock FD, yet. Do we have heated sensors (which would explain why the ECU goes into closed-loop so early)?
Old 01-04-04, 02:03 AM
  #11  
PV = nRT

 
clayne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: New Zealand (was California)
Posts: 2,250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No heated sensor. Your best bet is to remove the O2 sensor and put a wide-band in there with a Power FC.
Old 01-04-04, 02:29 AM
  #12  
Slower Traffic Keep Right

iTrader: (5)
 
poss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 2,192
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally posted by InsaneGideon
Strange, most cars' ECUs completely ignore the O2 during warmup (open loop) for precisely this reason.
To my knowledge, the stock ecu does operate this way.
Old 01-04-04, 02:45 AM
  #13  
Still on 1st engine

 
InsaneGideon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by clayne
No heated sensor. Your best bet is to remove the O2 sensor and put a wide-band in there with a Power FC.
I wasn't having this problem! My FD is stock, lo-mi, and pretty well functional.

I'm going back to live in my bubble now, until I start having boost problems like everyone else.

Though I was contemplating the AEM WB with the cool new meter.
Old 01-10-04, 11:17 AM
  #14  
Senior Member

 
theone81's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ca
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Where is the o2 Censor Located???
Old 01-10-04, 11:51 AM
  #15  
Senior Member

 
Androidmj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
its the thing screwed into the dp or precat with a single wire coming out of it.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rgordon1979
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
40
03-15-22 12:04 PM
windom
Adaptronic Engine Mgmt - AUS
4
09-11-15 04:48 AM
The1Sun
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
0
09-07-15 10:21 PM
Frisky Arab
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
5
09-04-15 06:17 PM



Quick Reply: Symptoms of bad O2 sensor?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:46 PM.