O2 sensor question...car didn't pass emissions

[devinbholmes]

The connector in the engine compartment that the black wire from the 02 sensor connects to was disconnected. Of course I didn't notice this until AFTER the car had failed emissions. Actually it only failed the Idle emissions test...it passed the others. Could this wire have been the problem? What does it do?

Also, the connector is broken. Can I get another one of these or should I just try to epoxy it back together?

[Mookster]

Yes

[devinbholmes]

any ideas on how to fix the connector?

[devinbholmes]

here's a closeup of the break

[Mookster]

My fingers are thinking faster than my brain.

The black wire does fit over the tan plastic fitting. This is the O2 sensor connection.

There are 2 schools of thought on the O2 sensor:

1. Keep it hooked up. The CIS system uses the O2 sensor to maintain "the proper performance" of the CIS system at all RPMs.
2. Unhook it, tune the car manually and it saves alot of headaches.

I subscribe to the first school of thought.

A new connection can be obtained. My mechanic had a few of them from older cars in his tool box that he just gave to me. It will have to be soldered to properly connect at the fitting.

[devinbholmes]

Mookster, thanks for the info. I should have mentioned that the car is an '84....ooops, sorry. My brain is also behind my fingers today....ughh

[GB83SC]

I also could use one of these plugs, if anyone knows of a source.

[targa80]

The O2 sensor is usually disconnected when a problem arises instead of fixing the problem. Disconnecting it eliminates the automatic variable adjustment of fuel air mixture under varying loads and speed. In other words when the fuel is to rich it will lean it and when it is to lean it will enrich it. Disconnecting it will set a value for fuel and air mixture and won't care if the engine is lean or rich. Some swear of better performance? Maybe but with better performance I'm sure it will be lousy gas mileage. I had problems with mine connected and no problems when it was disconnected. I prefered to repair the problem instead of mask it. I was getting good performance and good mileage before I took the car off the road for the restoration. This is only my opinion of what I know of the CIS and O2 sensor system. I am sure others on this board will say nuts pull it and be done with it. To each there own I guess.

[devinbholmes]

bump