Quote:
Originally posted by Don Plumley
It's a 96. But a DE/TT car and I'm very likely to remove the cat and put the bypass pipes back on after I pass smog. So I'll disconnect the sensors and save them for each two year interval.
I agree with the generics. I seem to remember with older O2 sensors the wire was important and mucking with it was a recipe for disaster. But I'll either find someone who has just installed a bypass pipe in a no Smog state or get some cheap generics online.
Thanks again guys. Happy New Year (now off to Dinner!).
Don
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there was a thread where someone claimed that the wire was used to transport gas to the sensor for the reference signal.
This is nonsense!
If using a generic where the wires must be spliced just be sure to get a soild sealed joint.
The reference signal is generated by the difference in O conent between atmosphere and in the exhaust pipe. As Ingo said w/ age this signal degrades, in addition any exposure to silicone or silicone vapor(think innocuous stuff like vinyl dressing) will cause sensor failure in short order.
However the heating element is sealed and will only be crippled by cracked ceramic case or other mechanical internal separation of the wire.
If they were exposed to environmental insult beneath the car they are likely toast. The usual strategy is to get them into the engine compartment and shield them from mechanical and chemical(silicone) damage