kenshi

I disconnected the O2 sensor wire to see if that was causing my rough idle problem. Viola! Rough idle gone, car puurrs away at 1000 rpm. Plug it back in idle bounces from 800 to 1200.

Can i leave this thingy unplugged while i wait for a new one to come from Pelican or am i asking for problems?

Magown

You should have no problems. I have done this on many of my cars over the years. The computer will just use a default or limp home value for the O2 Sensor voltage and continue to operate best it can. My 951 has not had an oxygen sensor for 4 years. I don't recommend doing this, all you will be doing is wasting fuel, releasing more hydrocarbons and decreasing performance slightly. I am in the process of undoing some of the modifications that the PO of my 951 did and will be installing a new Bosch O2 sensor very soon. Ultimately, it will not hurt anything.

ZCAT3

Kenshi - I just went through this as well. Definitely take the time to clean your ISV (this is a few minute process). On the O2 sensor, I ordered mine from one of the main Porsche parts supplier as well only to find out later that Kragen Auto had the OEM Bosch units for $115 - which is lower than any other price I have seen.

Steve W

I don't recommend it. The chip is not programmed to run that way. The car will tend to run too rich and fuel economy will suffer. The O2 sensor is there to bring the fuel mixture back in check when you are cruising at steady state, and unplugging it will cause your car to run a constant state of fuel enrichment as if you were constantly accelerating. If you have a bouncing idle, you have other problems, most likely intake air leaks around the manifold gaskets, or less likely, a worn IAC selenoid, and/or idle mixture adjustment.

raceman77

good question.without the o2 the motronic will run "open loop" not reading and adjusting per voltage fluctuations sent by the o2 sensor.a factory part exists to optimize running without the o2 sensor.part # 911 612 421 00.this is an adapter harness for,say,cars in the middle east that were imported with no cat.converter or o2.l have this part,ordered it years ago to experiment with.lt is esentially a resistor.l measured it once...can`t remember the ohms.lt gives the system a baseline so it won`t run so rich.

88911coupe

I recall people much more knowledgeable than me saying don't run the 3.2's without the sensor. Mine was bad and it caused those symptoms.

mschafer71

GPR has had an ad in Excellence for the last four issues or so with the O2 sensors for $49, bosch generic or $60 for "better" bosch ( i.e. no cutting or splicing necessary). The best prices I could find for my '88 3.2 and works great! Mark