Grrrrrrr. Lambda Sensors

[JamesV70R]

Just been out and checked - current code is P0030 and thats whats been stored for a few days. This is with the Front 02 sensor unplugged. (But left in situ)

[Jp003]

Originally Posted by Villan

Why oh why! I replaced the sensor on Saturday, did about 45 miles since then - all with no light and lovely and smooth - and as I pulled in to Shell at lunch the damn light came on again!!!

Got home and read the codes - 1133 - O2 Sensor Insufficiant Switching (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

Right people, I need thoughts. What can be causing this. Its NOT the Front 02 Sensor - as I say its got 45 miles under its belt and is brand new Bosch.

Am ordering new spark plugs today - wouldnt be surprised if they are fouled, but what else can cause 02 sensors to throw up that fault?

Cheers,

James - Coming to the end of my patience!

Hi your fault code does point to the first O2 sensor and could be a wiring fault, multiplug incorrectly connected or HO2S

Doubtfull that the sensor is faulty from factory if Bosch

Did you install correctly?? Check the plug and cable for damage

You can test the sensor with continuity and voltage tester but its a bit fiddly

dissconnect component and test between terminals 3 and 4 usually top and bottom in middle of plug, should get aprox 3 Ohms (heater circuit)

if you have no CAT or old one then this may cause the code to come up but i think code P0141 is more likely as sensor doesnt heat up sufficiently

Also test with ignition on between 3 and earth should get 11-14V at socket end (car end)

Hope this helps?!?!?!? Always seems to be more than one thing that can be wrong with these cars at a time and guessing which one is hard

If you want to eliminate the CAT take to MOT station and do emmissions test and that will show if sensors are working correctly, If O2 level is at about 0.70 then its probably the CAT like my car which recently failed on O2

regards John

[Jp003]

Originally Posted by Villan

Just been out and checked - current code is P0030 and thats whats been stored for a few days. This is with the Front 02 sensor unplugged. (But left in situ)

That code is because you have unplugged the sensor

Sensor 1 heater circuit malfunction

[JamesV70R]

Cheers, next thing to find/borrow/steal - a Multimeter!

Would it be worth giving the connector (car end) a blast with contact cleaner? Just incase theres any much on the pins from the last 10+ years?

Am trying to find some time to get to an MOT station who won't charge me silly money to do 2 mins work ...

[Jp003]

Yes contact cleaner wont do any harm and make sure the plug is connected correctly, sometimes they are hard to push together. It should lock into place

[triton2]

We have an 1994 normal aspirated 5cyl 850 that has two problems:

Car may stall at stop lights while idling.

The engine will often not re-start when warm. Will start after sitting for a few minutes.

Lately the car quits while driving on the freeway. Just quits, but will restart after a few minutes.

We cleaned the Throttle Body, Idle Air Valve and Flame Trap. Car has new NKG plugs and runs great, except for the engine quiting problem. We are thinking electrical, even perhaps the ignition switch? Any ideas??

Thanks,
Scott

[Jp003]

Any engine codes coming up?

[Veidt]

Originally Posted by triton2

We have an 1994 normal aspirated 5cyl 850 that has two problems:

Car may stall at stop lights while idling.

The engine will often not re-start when warm. Will start after sitting for a few minutes.

Lately the car quits while driving on the freeway. Just quits, but will restart after a few minutes.

We cleaned the Throttle Body, Idle Air Valve and Flame Trap. Car has new NKG plugs and runs great, except for the engine quiting problem. We are thinking electrical, even perhaps the ignition switch? Any ideas??

Thanks,
Scott

I also have a 94 850 non turbo with similar symptoms. Stalls at stop lights and will restart after a few minutes. I've researched this symptom quite a bit - seems like it is probably the fuel pump relay. Part costs about $50. Looks easy to replace - is next to fuses. Google the phrase and you will find photos of the location and instructions. I've ordered a new relay and hope that solves the problem.

Quits while driving, then restarts after a few minutes. My car also did this, especially when the weather turned hot. Never at high speeds/on the freeway though - usually 35 mph or lower. Turned out to be the thermostat in the air box below the air filter. When the thermostat doesn't work, it doesn't close off the hot air flow tube from the engine and open the cooler outer air flow tube. New thermostat costs about $20. Remove the air filter and reach into the air box (I am female and have small enough hands) and pop the thermostat out. Following other people's experience and advice, I didn't replace the thermostat, I just stuck a similar sized metal bolt in the space where the thermostat was and then used large metal clips to hold open the cool/outside air flow door. (When the cool air flow door is open, it automatically closes off the hot air flow door). Google this repair and you will find step by step photos and other techniques for blocking the hot air flow door. If you live in a cold climate, removing the thermostat could be a problem in the winter and you should probably put in a new thermostat to help the engine start on cold mornings and not freeze you air mass meter.

Hope this helps. These are very common problems with these cars and people waste a lot of money on expensive repairs (fuel pump, starters, air mass meters, etc.) that don't solve the problem.

[byootox]

The mass airflow meter has priority over the oxygen sensors, i would scope it and see what it shows.

[Jp003]

Originally Posted by triton2

We have an 1994 normal aspirated 5cyl 850 that has two problems:

Car may stall at stop lights while idling.

The engine will often not re-start when warm. Will start after sitting for a few minutes.

Lately the car quits while driving on the freeway. Just quits, but will restart after a few minutes.

We cleaned the Throttle Body, Idle Air Valve and Flame Trap. Car has new NKG plugs and runs great, except for the engine quiting problem. We are thinking electrical, even perhaps the ignition switch? Any ideas??

Thanks,
Scott

Hi Possibly fuel pump or fuel filter getting tired or relay or wiring maybe