Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2012 12:17:12 -0500
Reply-To: David Clarkson <dvdclarksn@AOL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Clarkson <dvdclarksn@AOL.COM>
Subject: O2 sensor type problem after replacing O2 sensor-follow up,
still having problems
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I think that this is what I will check into next. I had this problem
once before and had to remove a bit off of the end of this coax cable.
I'm not sure how much more slack I have to work with there. If I do
replace it does anyone know the gauge or of a source for this cable? I
did what Mark Drillock suggested and cleaned up the ground wire and put
a new end on it but still have some intermittent full rich conditions
(know this from seeing the O2 sensor monitor) that cause the engine to
stall out. I think that the other piece of the puzzle that I need to
check is the Temp II connections as Rob suggested. I replaced this
sensor about 4 years
ago and I am sure that it is the correct sensor (not the coolant gauge
temperature sensor) and I remember having to splice the wires. I know
that this sensor works off of resistance and I think that I either
twisted the wires together or used a couple of butt connectors and
covered them with shrink wrap tubing where I maybe should have used
some flux, soldered them together and then protected them with shrink
wrap tubing. I do need to do the same for the coolant gauge temperature
sensor as it reads somewhat accurately but way to low on the scale. I
know that the Bentley has a chart for the resistance through the temp
II sensor at different coolant temperatures. I remember testing the one
that I replaced in a pot of water with my ohm meter and an accurate
thermometer and finding no apparent problem. That rings true with
something that I remember Scott saying some time ago; that these
sensors
don't actually fail as often as people think that they do. I will
inspect the coax on the O2 sensor then proceed to upgrade and hopefully
better the connections on the temp II sensor and if that does nothing
then I may remove and test the temp II sensor as I previously
mentioned. Not going to get into that today as the ground is frozen and
the wind chill is around has topped off at 29 deg. Hey wife, can I have
my garage back? (He says knowing that she is nowhere near this list and
obviously not looking over his shoulder at the moment!) . Any other
suggestions? I know testing and possibly condemning the ECU is the last
and final step in the process-hope I don't end up there. Oh, and in the
midst of this problem the speedo stopped working but was an easy
fix-the clip that secures it to the dust cap gave out. Still a PITA in
this weather to screw around with that pewny little E-clip when the
temperatures don't allow the the fingers to work with great dexterity.
It was an opportunity to renew portions of my vocabulary that aren't
suitable for polite company! Thanks listees.
David Clarkson
90 Westfalia-intermittently failing to thrive and succeeding in
disappointing me in the most inopportune moments Ugh!
-----Original Message-----
From: neil n <musomuso@gmail.com>
To: David Clarkson <dvdclarksn@aol.com>
Cc: vanagon <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
Sent: Fri, Dec 28, 2012 12:23 pm
Subject: Re: O2 sensor type problem after replacing O2 sensor
Here's some close up shots of the green coaxial O2 wire on my '88 2.1
I'm not certain it was causing an issue, but, it was pretty clear to
me that the slight bits of excess shield wire may have been shorting
to the inner "signal" wire.
3 images starting here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy#5748856721901671282
I was able to repair this by cutting the wire back. I don't recall if
I used shrink wrap to help ensure longevity. I think wire movement is
what kills it over time.
Cutting into the loom can be a slightly hazardous (i.e. you cut
another wire) but is not rocket surgery. The connector(s) from the O2
should be long enough to reach even if the green wire is shortened.
Good electrical tape is nice for loom repair.
Neil.
On Fri, Dec 28, 2012 at 10:39 AM, David Clarkson <dvdclarksn@aol.com>
wrote:
> One other bit of info that is worth mentioning is that I have an O2
sensor
> monitor that indicated that everything went completely rich when the
problem
> occurred. It showed this type reading with the original sensor issue
and the
> new sensor issue. My thoughts are that the problem might be with the
small
> guage coax type cable that sends the sensor signal to the ECU
grounding out
> from the inner sensor wire to the outer metal sheathing that I
believe is
> grounded to the chassis. I had a similar problem with this cable once
before
> and I believe that I cut a small piece off of the end and put the
connector
> back on. Knowing that most types of coax cable will eventually fail,
I am
> wondering if anyone has had a problem similar to this with this cable
and if
> so where did you find a replacement. I believe that it is wrapped
with the
> other wires in the main harness section that goes to the ECU so I
would
> probably just run another piece that would be wire-tied to it rather
than
> risk disturbing the rest of the original harness and causing a
problem with
> another wire.
--
Neil n
65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp
'88 Slate Blue Westy to be named.
'81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
