O2 Sensor connector
 

Stock '82 SC Targa:
I was changing my Fuel Accumulator today and noticed behind it a broken electrical connector. I'm pretty sure this goes to my O2 sensor in my cat. The electrical connection from here to the cat is fine but this connector is broken and I can't figure out how to replace or fix it...Any suggestions?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1172379335.jpg

That is what you think it is. But I don't know what one would do to fix it in OEM fashion. It is, I believe, the only connector in the whole car constructed in this manner. And I haven't seen another like it anywhere (though I don't claim to have seen every kind of connector, far from it). I have no idea why something this fancy was selected.

It is not like the sensor wire is shielded. There has been discussion that the sensor gets its atmospheric comparison air through the wire. Or, rather, through the voids between individual wires. Perhaps this connector has something to do with where that air finds its way in, assuming there is anything to this.

But instructions (not put out by Porsche) for connecting replacement O2 sensors mention none of this, and say just splice the new wire to the old. Which is what I have done. Which leads me to think one could install any kind of connector in place of this unusual one.

But maybe somebody knows what makes these connectors special, or has an idea on where a replacement can be purchased beyond the whole shebang. If I remember correctly, the wire joins the loom that carries all the CIS frequency valve and sensor wiring (or most of it) back to the mini-computer and FV relay, which would make it awkward to replace as a continuous wire with connectors on each end. I always figured that the connector end of the O2 wire was why the factory replacement O2 sensors are so bloody expensive compared with a generic Bosch sensor.

Were it mine, I'd find the other end of the wire by disassembling the fancy multi-wire connector at the mini-brain (or look at a pinout) and check for continuity. If good, I'd patch things up, at least in the short run, and not worry.

Walt Fricke

Thanks for the reply - I am hoping I can just splice in new connectors and re-install without affecting the CIS system. The engine harness is rather expensive and looks complicated to replace in an afternoon (which is about the time I usually have to work on the car).

I found mine broken as well when I replaced the O2 sensor. I suspect it has something to do with the O2 reference. I don't know if there are thermal issues as well given how short the wire is from the Cat to the connector. I just connected it the best I could and it ran fine up until the time that I dropped the engine. I too searched for a replacement and came up empty. I suspect it is considered an integral part of the harness and is not obtainable as an individual part, however, I did not try Porsche directly. I could not find a part number on PET.