O2 sensor equivalency

[NutmegCarrera]

Fellas-
I have read (here) that a suitable O2 sensor can be had from a '96 Taurus. I have also read that we should be looking for a 3-wire.

My research (not real wide-scope at this point) has been that the '96 Taurus uses a 4-wire.

Are there other suitable "donors" to source this sensor from? Looks like other model years (earlier) of the Taurus use a 3-wire.

What is sacred, and what is not?

Obviously, we won't be getting signal / bandwidth specs from billy-bob at the car parts store, but I'm thinking that a 22mm and 3-wire will do it.

Just looking for any other x-ref vehicles to pull one from (new, at the parts store - of course).


Thanks Much!

[don gilbert]

if your car has a three wire, you can swap to a one wire from o'rilies for 20 buck. the 2 extra wires are for heating the 02 up faster for emission reasons. saves you a good chunk of change, and you will never know the difference as far as drivability goes.

[NutmegCarrera]

Thanks, Don.
But, given a choice - I'd prefer to keep three wires. I guess the 4-wire is o.k., as I just don't have a home for #4. In the OBD vehicles - I understand that this is just feedback. I just hate having to guess on which wire is which.

Looking for a good reference vehicle for that 3-wire sensor.


Thanks!

[oh snap]

Anyone know the answer to this? A part number from someone who has done it would be great

[dicklague]

the normal [not wideband] sensor puts out 0 to 1 volt on the sensor wire. One wire only has this wire and the shell is the ground.

Three wire adds 2 more wires for the heater element that is an electric heat to heat up the O2 sensor more quickly.

There is not magic here. .5 volt is the right mixture and the O2 sensor reads back and forth to either side of that.

The 2 leads that give you resistance on an Ohmeter are the heater. The other is the sensor lead. Simple as that.

Does not matter much if it is Bosch or whatever.

[javadog]

Ahh, the never-ending quest for a dirt cheap O2 sensor. Pelican sells a universal 3 wire sensor for $71.75. That's about what I pay for my oil at every oil change. Seems cheap enough.

I have a used OEM 3 wire off of an SC or turbo I'll sell ya. It's pretty clean.

JR

[Flat Six]

I bought mine (Bosch OE fitment for 85 Carrera - w/proper connector and through-tin grommets) for less than $80. Bosch part number 13003

[oh snap]

Thanks for that info flat 6. For $80 I won't bother with splicing in a universal, now I just need to find it in Canada.

[Flat Six]

oh snap -- sent you a PM

[dshepp806]

I just installed a fresh Bosch O2 sensor,.....not too much worried about the price......not into splicing stuff on the O2...she's running abit better, I would add,..and the sensor was removed without any problems...NICE!

Doyle