CIS O2 sensor relay problems

[Mookster]

I have a '83SC that is having O2 sensor relay problems.

I have "fried" my third O2 sensor relay in the last year, (the one under the passenger seat part 821 951 253). With no forwarning the car will buck and the relay begins to click like mad. The clicking has helped me identify it is a relay issue. When I replaced the relay with a new one, the problem is "solved".

History:

The first relay was 20 years old when I replaced it because of the above described issues. I figured the 20 year old relay didn't owe me anything. My life continued. The second relays failed after 500 miles. Bad luck/bad relay? The third relay, currently in the car, lasted 3 months (miles unknown).

I'm sure there is a bigger issue other than bad luck on the replacement relays.

This is what I know:

1. I have power to the relay it clicks, the dome lights work.
2. When a new O2 sensor relay is replaced with a new one the car runs great!
3. Whenever the relay fails the car will buck first and shortly after the buck, the relay will big to click like mad. When the relay clicks the car runs like crap thus disabling its ability to be driven.

My thoughts on what to do:

1. I could just buy a few relays and keep them in the glove box just in case it happens again.
2. If its a wiring harnes issue, could I fabricate a new harness for this relay? Is this even possibe? Can a new harness be wired for this relay directly? Where do the 5 toggles route to?
3. Is there a way to bypass the relay and manually tune the auto?

Help, ideas, and suggestions to resolve the problem are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Doug Steinel]

I bypassed the O2 sensor with the following "fix" on my 82 SC: I disconnected the wire in the engine compartment that connects the wire from the O2 sensor to the computer. Then I ran a wire from that computer wire into the cockpit via the tunnel. If that wire is run to ground, it sends a signal to the computer to richen up the mixture. My wire in the cockpit is hooked up to a switch near the shifter. If I throw the switch to "on", the wire is grounded and the computer richens up the mixture. Throw the switch to "off" and it leans up the mixture. I can now have some control over the mixture when driving. I have found the car runs well when I richen it up when it is not real hot. If it is hot the mixture will surge if you have the switch " on" so I throw it to "off" and it idles perfectly.

[Mookster]

Any other suggestions????