Well, it was time for a new O2 sensor. Mine was acting sluggish and it turns out that the heater was no good (open). Since the OEM one is rather expensive I figured I'd go with one of the "universal" replacements with no plug (and some crimp connectors). I really don't like to use crimp connectors on such critical (and low voltage) stuff, so I shopped around a bit and realized that I can get a 3-wire Bosch sensor for a Ford Mustang GT (V8) for the same price as the universal sensor (about $42). A 4-wire sensor for the Mustang LX with 2.3L 4 cylinder is about $46. Cool.... I bought the 4-wire one for Mustang LX. (Bosch 15716) So, off to Pick'n'Pull I went, and snipped a 4-wire O2 plug from a donor Ford and took it home and grafted the plug onto my wiring harness and added a signal ground wire from the plug to the block. Now when I change my sensor next time I won't have to buy an expensive one or fiddle with splicing wires. I can just buy an inexpensive 4-wire sensor for Ford 2.3L (very common) and plug it right into my harness with no hassle. P/N for the Bosch 4-wire sensor is 15716 and it fits '91 Mustang LX with 2.3L engine, (as well as many other Ford cars and trucks) P/N for the 3-wire sensor is 13942 and fits '91 Mustang GT (5.0L V8) and many others. Make sure you get the right connector at the wrecking yard. All the Fords with 3-wire O2 use one style plug and ones with 4-wire use a slightly different style. They look very nearly the same, but are *not* interchangeable. The 3-wire plugs are black and the 4-wire are white. (at least the ones I saw) Get enough harness wire with the plug to extend the VW harness about a foot to make up for the fact that the O2 sensor itself has shorter wires than the OEM VW sensor. I soldered and heat shrunk all the connections. Since my Westy has a Subaru EJ22 instead of the 2.1 WBX, it was unnecessary to extend the harness wires for my application. Cheers, Steve EJ22 -> '86 Westy "Escape Pod" |
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