Oxygen sensor control unit question
 

hey all.

my 1980 Sc got a little soaked over the rainy period we had here in california. i think the oxygen sensor control unit (under passenger seat) got wet. the car seems to be running fine. my question is if the unit may have been dmaged in any way by the water, what, if any, would be the symptoms? Would the car still start and run fine? As it is now the car seems to be running as it ever did-no hesitation, eratic idle, etc.
thanks very much
brett

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth!

Sorry, I'm out of cliches. You're probably fine. If you want to talk to an expert, call Loren at www.systemsc.com here in SoCal. He'll set you straight.

Scott

They will run fine w/ the O₂ sensor malfunctioning or disconnected. They just go to open loop mode and run a little richer(usually). Same happens at WOT anyway.

Now if there is a short ignore what I just wrote

if the computer goes tits up, the frequency valve won't function, and the car feels like you're dragging an anchor. rough, rich idle too. you would know it. the oxy sensor itself can be disconnected though, with basically no ill effects and a smoother idle, but a tad less mileage.

"if the computer goes tits up, the frequency valve won't function, and the car feels like you're dragging an anchor. rough, rich idle too." - john walker's workshop -

Actually a failed/no Lambda unit will cause:

1. hard cold starting (Lambda unable to provide enrichment with oil temp switch)
2. lean running (no signal to freq valve causes fuel dist to be lean)
3. poor accel (Lambda unable to provide enrichment with the enrich relay)

thanks for the replies. I guess its fine because the mileage seems normal (20mpg). I like the "if it aint broke dont fix it" philosophy more and more these days.
Brett