california oxygen sensor

[LtUSMC]

I understand that I may need to replace my oxygen sensor. I looked up prices and found out there are two: one for screw-you-in-the-a**-California, and one for the rest of the country. The difference was between like $40 and $240!!

My car is a "California" car unfortunately. What would happen if I put a normal O2 sensor in? Does anybody know if the DME was programmed differently for California?

[porscheboi928s/c944t/n]

1 wire and 3 wires basically the same.....3 wire is the heated sensor ones......2 wires is diff...

[hawes99]

Lt., I too have a California car and I want to change my o2 sensor. Any help on this would be appreciated. Is there a way to use the current o2 sensor by cutting some wires? This may be a dumb question but it might be w$rth asking. Thanks.

[LtUSMC]

NEED IMMEDIATE ADVICE!

So my mechanic now tells me a problem may lie with the oxygen sensor. When disconnected, the car runs fine. When connected, he notices some problems. He has suggested two options:

1) Replace the sensor (which I guess I would do myself).
2) Leave the sensor out, and he'll manually establish the fuel/air mixture.

This will depend on cost, since right now a California oxygen sensor costs $240. The alternative, according to the mechanic is just to leave it out. He says that this will actually boost performance a bit because the car will no longer try to compensate with a lean mixture, and that the only drawback will be slightly worse gas mileage at highway speeds.

Has anybody done this? Left the sensor out? Any advice??

[porscheboi928s/c944t/n]

how many wires is the california sensor??

[porscheboi928s/c944t/n]

and also what problem/s do u have when o2 sensor installed??

[todd951]

Someone mentioned in a different post that the expensive part of the O2 sensor is actually the connector, and that you could replace it with a cheap Ford sensor and just splice the wires together. Maybe that could try that. I wouldn't recommend running without the sensor, since your gas mileage would suck, it would eventually mess up the cat, and there's no way you could pass emissions if you live in an area that requires sniff tests.

[LtUSMC]

I believe the California sensor version has three wires.

If my gas mileage goes down just a bit, I don't care if it performs a little better. I could use anything I can get out of my NA 944. Up till now I was getting 20-22 MPG anyway, so I believe the problem was probably always there.

The problem I'm having is that the car is showing poorer-than-average performance in the intermediate operating temperature phase. When the O2 is disconnected, she runs beautifully.

I also don't need to pass any emissions tests any time soon. I think not till I want to sell the car, which is likely never, so I don't care about that either.

I'm thinking of leaving it out and seeing how she performs and what kind of MPG I'll get. Is there anything I should be concerned about except emissions?

[porscheboi928s/c944t/n]

i believe that GPR(german parts restoration)sells that 3 wire for 69.00(call for ur application....1-800-321-5432(cal)....also excellence magazine(recommended) is a good start...

[LtUSMC]

hawes (and others):

After obsessing over the subject for the past week, I believe I have finally figured out what the hell is going on. If you want to know more about oxygen sensors, read on.

The 944 (not 944S or 951) has had two different types of oxygen sensors. One for early (pre-85.5) and one for late (post 85.5) years. The early one has only one wire, a sensor element. The late version has two wires (but three connectors) that has the sensor element, and a heater element. The heater element heats up the sensor so that it will work all the time. The early oxygen sensor was heated by the exhaust system itself, and therefore did not work until the car was operated for a little time.

The early "California" 944 model got ahead of themselves and had the later oxygen sensor type already installed in them (heater type). This was so that the sensor would be always active. Therefore, a California model will need a later version heater no matter what year. A confusing thing when every parts place a I call says that my 83 needs a 1 wire "non-heater" type.
I still don't know however if the early California "heater" version is the same as the late universal heater version. Aghhh.

Confusing enough yet? I'm going to need to take my O2 sensor out and see what part number it is right now, to make sure I replace it with the right one.

I saw a "oxygen sensor removing tool" for sale on Automotion for $22. Is this thing really needed? What do I need to get to my oxygen sensor? The Haynes manual doesn't say much but "take it out." Thanks!

[This message has been edited by LtUSMC (edited 08-04-2000).]

[1.2gees]

You really shouldn't need any tools to take it out with... Save for some WD-40, liquid wrench, or whatever your choice of product maybe...

I recommend spraying the stuff all over the sensor when cold, letting the car sit for a few hours (preferably) than pulling out your wrench, adjustable pliers, robo grip, (what I used), or whatever... If your adjustible pliers give you difficulty, don't wait until breaking the sensor in there, instead go pick up a normal wrench that fits exact.

It's really not that hard,
Good luck,
Ahmet

------------------
It's all the driver...

[944fan]

SO, IM NEW TO THE FORUM ON WRITING. I'VE BEEN ON THE FORUM SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS SINCE I GOT MY 84 944. IT HAS ONLY 50000 MILEAGE. FOUND IT IN A BARN SITTING FOR 10 YEARS. SO AFTER 1 YEAR OF RESTORATION I CAN ENJOY THE CAR. I STILL HAVE FEW THINGS TO DO TO IT. I REPLACED ALL THE DASH LIGHT WITH LED LIGHTS AND IT IS SOOOO COOL. REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS WITH LED. NOW, I HAVE 2 CABLES ATTACHED TO THE 02 SENSOR CONNECTION. SEE PICTURE ATTACHED. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT ARE SUPPOSED TO DO? OR WHERE THEY CONNECT?? THANKS

[v2rocket_aka944]

the green colored one that goes into that orange "dogbone" is the O2 sensor signal wire to the DME.

the 2-pin black connector next to it is the power/ground for the CA-spec oxygen sensor heater.

[944fan]

thank you. now i know. any idea what 02 sensor to buy? any links will be great.

[944fan]

found it. Great. Thank you

[944fan]

77 dollars 02 sensor ebay OEM. Just order one. California style

Oxygen Sensor-Walker OE Walker Products 250-23025 fits 83-88 Porsche 944 2.5L-L4 | eBay

No wire cutting or anything . Fits like a glove.

[944fan]

By the way. If the o2 sensor was install a decade ago, no matter how much w40 or lube you put on it, it will not budge. I leaned that the hard hard hard way. I try any, any o2 sensor removal tools and it didnt work even after you heat up the car and let it cool. The only solution was to buy a torch from home depot for 16 dollars and heat it up until red and than it comes of like butter. Before i torch it up i was battling wield horses for 5 hours.