Date: Sun, 21 Oct 2001 09:37:28 -0400
Reply-To: Gary Stearns <gstearns@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Gary Stearns <gstearns@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: O2 Sensor Woes
Content-type: multipart/alternative;
We went through alot of this kind of thing with our '88. When you replaced
the sensor did you get a "plug in and drive" w/ correct Bosch part number,
or did you get a generic "solder-it-in" type? The solder-in types have a
hidden danger. The signal wire from the sensor is co-axial, the actual
signal wire at the center, surrounded by insulation, braided grounded shield
more insulation. It's common to not realize that the wire is a coax and
just solder the whole mess to the old connector. Instant ground out of the
signal wire. To avoid you have to peel back the braided shield to get to
the signal wire alone. At one time we found that the wires in the harness
leading from the 02 sensor had failed and grounded out far from the sensor.
Basically the same coax configuration had worn through it's insulation
internally causing signal wire to ground against shield wire. Tough to find
but start with a digital mult-meter. Get out the Bentley and find which
pin on the ECU is the input from the O2 sensor, (can't remember at the
moment). W/ engine running does this pin show an appropriate signal from an
02 sensor (.5v +/- )? Assuming not, work back along this wire, testing at
connectors etc. to the point where the signal does appear. When I
discovered the failed section, I just spliced in a new wire to go around it.
Protect the new wire to avoid future problems.
Good luck.
Gary
-------Original Message-------
From: Chad G
Date: Saturday, October 20, 2001 07:22:04 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: O2 Sensor Woes
I've been experiencing BRUTAL gas mileage for a while now. Many people on
the list pointed to the O2 sensor. It's been replaced twice in 6 months.
I've noticed that the van runs beautifully when the O2 sensor is
disconnected. When connected it occasionally hesitates, stumbles, loses
power, etc. Also, when I drive over rough pavement or hit a big bump the
engine stumbles. I'm thinking this isn't the sensor but rather the green
wire that connects the sensor to the ECU. Any opinions?? How easy is it to
change this wire??
thanks
Chad 85GL
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