PSA AEM AFR gauge 30-4110

[tschall]

Hey guys, maybe this will save some of you valuable time, and maybe some money, but I doubt the $$$ aspect. I bought the aforementioned gauge, as recommended, installed it and was impressed with its performance. Less than a 100 miles later it stopped working. AEM, and other manufacturers are/have been aware of the ongoing failing sensor problem.
The sensor utilizes Bosch LSU 4.9 wide band technology. The problem is the sensors included are NOT marked BOSCH... hmmm. I can't say, but Made in China Joe land seems likely. The correct Bosch Part # is 17025 for this AEM sensor. Differences? The supplied sensor is 24" in length, unmarked. The named Bosch part is 40" long and the sensor is well branded Bosch.

AEM has been ok to deal with for replacement of the item, but to the point of stingy. In my case they will replace the sensor, I assume with a no name China Joe replacement, but I hope not. But I had to destroy the gauge to get them to replace that unit also.
It seems, according to their well attended Customer Service staff that there is no verifiable way to independently test the units separately. I obtained a loaner sensor from a friend in the correct Bosch 17025 part and it works. Now I await mine and the replacement gauge.
My issue, as in all things DIY is labor. Manufacturers gladly pocket the savings from China Joe parts and will even replace, but the labor for our cars in terms of dollars tp plug and play is ridiculous. By the time I complete this (AGAIN) I will have 4 -5 hours reinvested with the new China Joe sensor. I think it makes sense to buy a factory Bosch 17025 sensor at inception, take the hit financially, and not have to plug and play repeatedly. Thoughts??

[trond]

The death of the sensor may also have been caused by condensation droplets during the first seconds after startup. Mine too died within a week, or rather started giving false and erratic readings. The 4.9 sensor is heated electrically very quick as the unit is powered up, and will be fully warmed up before condensated water in the exhaust has been blown out. It could be, is my theory (that I got from someone else), that this kills the 4.9 sensors. Less where it came from, Bosch or other. I programmed in a 20 sec delayed startup in my megasquirt ECU. No problems since.

[Mahler9th]

I used AEM's 30- series of uegos an oxygen sensors for years. The latter lasted a long time in the presence of leaded fuel.

I have received excellent service from AEM in the past.

A few years ago, I bought a replacement sensor from E-bay, and it failed pretty quickly.

There are a lot of stories about counterfeit and poor quality parts in various supply chains.

I would expect that the best source for an authentic AEM product is AEM or whomever they say is ok.

I now have a Ballenger UEGO. I have spoken to them about supply chain issues and they seem proactive about keeping bad stuff out of their inventory-- as best they can be.

https://www.bmotorsports.com/shop/

https://news.bmotorsports.com/beware-fake-ntk-sensors-are-flooding-the-market/

I am happy with my Ballenger unit.

[tschall]

Thanks for the input all! I have personally read over 200 accounts of the bad AEM and other AFR brands with failed sensors. Although there may be other contributing factors, there is a known aftermarket sensor issue. If the manufacturers would increase the price to accommodate a verified supply chain it would save money all around. Although I just had 3 back to back "real" Bosch fuel pumps grrrr....