O2 Sensor Short
 

Hello everyone,

I recently goofed and was setting the idle mixture using the o2sensor hooked up to a multi-meter. The problem that occued was when the terminal 2 wire grounded out on the intake manifold. Then the car died and would not start. Please tell me this didn't fry the DME computer. Any suggestions or input?

Thanks,
V

If it's a late (1985.5 and later) car that has a 3 wire sensor, there is 12v that powers the heater in the sensor. If that grounded out, it may have burned a fuse, or the DME itself. Don't know which of the two white wires has +12v, but none of the others should do anything if they ground out. The black wire is the signal voltage from the O2 sensor and one of the white ones is the ground for the heater. If it's an early car with a non heated (1 wire) sensor, nothing should have happened. I think some early cars came with a 3 wire sensor (california models, I think), but the heater wires hooked up with a separate connector from the signal wire.


You should fill in your car's year and model information in your signature so people know exactly what you're dealing with...and welcome to the forum!