Do not solder O2 sensor wires!!!
#1
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From: Atlanta
Do not solder O2 sensor wires!!!
I'm pasting a copy of the installation instructions for a Bosch O2 sensor. This came out of a Bosch document
Hope it helps...
Hope it helps...
#3
I've soldered my last 2 without issue. If you use 60/40 nickel solder, the stainless will grab it fine. Glue and heat shrink to prevent corrosion.
Wonder why they say it is a no no? Of course, you don't want to splice in 1" from the sensor, but if you do it at the end of the 12" lead, it shoud be ok.
Wonder why they say it is a no no? Of course, you don't want to splice in 1" from the sensor, but if you do it at the end of the 12" lead, it shoud be ok.
#4
i did what perry did and now i'm confused. i spliced at the VERY END of the lead coming FROM the sensor. soldered in the OEM connector, plugged it in and went. works great as far as i can tell. AFM wasn't sweeping before the repair - which is why i started looking for something amiss - indicates just fine now.
#6
exactly...I didnt know this and soldered mine, as an ET I solder everything Then my car would run fine for about 15 min then like crap...checked the O2 voltage and it was reading 0v so the DME was forcing rich. Let it sit, and it would be fine, O2 sensor responding fine...then after 15 min or so...the sensor voltage would drop to ov. Replaced the sensor using approved connectors and havent had a problem sense.
#7
Originally posted by fast951
What is there to be confused about. Follow the manufacturer instructions...
What is there to be confused about. Follow the manufacturer instructions...
It could not be because of a heat related issue. I am quite certain the wires at the sensor get a lot hotter during a track session than they would if I soldered a small joint 12" away.
If we always followed the manufacturer's distructions and did not ask questions, we would all have stock 944's.
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#8
Its not that you cant solder the wires...you can...I did.
Its that for an O2 sensor to operate, It has to have a supply of outside air(reference air) to compare to the exhaust stream. On older style sensors, this air was supplied via holes in the sensor housing. It was found that these holes would get plugged overtime so the engineers designed a sealed sensor that draws its reference air thru the wire strands inside the insulation. If you solder the connections, then the solder seals the path for the reference air and the sensor cant 'breathe'
Its that for an O2 sensor to operate, It has to have a supply of outside air(reference air) to compare to the exhaust stream. On older style sensors, this air was supplied via holes in the sensor housing. It was found that these holes would get plugged overtime so the engineers designed a sealed sensor that draws its reference air thru the wire strands inside the insulation. If you solder the connections, then the solder seals the path for the reference air and the sensor cant 'breathe'
#11
well, fast951 - there IS something to be confused about. mine IS soldered AND appears to work just fine. according to the gospel, this should not be a) possible or b) operational. mine has proven to be both - hence my confusion.
like i said - i'm going to leave well-enough alone and wait for something to fail before i 'fix' it...its interesting tho and your post with the directions from the manufacturer is self-explanatory - however, there are MANY things that i've installed (not just in cars) that you DON'T install per the manufacturers instructions, so i don't think that finding an alternate way to do things is unheard of or unacceptable - unless it results in something not working...which this isn't the case. would i do it differently?? sure - and i will 'fix' the problem next time i need to change the sensor.
like i said - i'm going to leave well-enough alone and wait for something to fail before i 'fix' it...its interesting tho and your post with the directions from the manufacturer is self-explanatory - however, there are MANY things that i've installed (not just in cars) that you DON'T install per the manufacturers instructions, so i don't think that finding an alternate way to do things is unheard of or unacceptable - unless it results in something not working...which this isn't the case. would i do it differently?? sure - and i will 'fix' the problem next time i need to change the sensor.
#12
I thought I ll chip in here being electronics engineer...
''Not that I disagree with that, but I still question it. Wire is wire, and as long as there is a good connection, be it a splice and solder, or a mechanial punch, the results should be the same. I'll take a section of stainless wire, both the same length, and use a snap connect on one, and solder on the other. I'll do an Ohm check and voltage loss at 14v and see what happens.''
Wire is not a wire! They have different resistance depending on the thickens and material. I would of thought at a delicate application such as o2 sensor - resistance is important. Depending on the blob of solder, you would also get ever so slightly different resistance values. Usually not a problem but in this case....dunno could be...
''Not that I disagree with that, but I still question it. Wire is wire, and as long as there is a good connection, be it a splice and solder, or a mechanial punch, the results should be the same. I'll take a section of stainless wire, both the same length, and use a snap connect on one, and solder on the other. I'll do an Ohm check and voltage loss at 14v and see what happens.''
Wire is not a wire! They have different resistance depending on the thickens and material. I would of thought at a delicate application such as o2 sensor - resistance is important. Depending on the blob of solder, you would also get ever so slightly different resistance values. Usually not a problem but in this case....dunno could be...
Last edited by SimonK; 07-21-2003 at 12:03 AM.