Lambda sensor issues

Justin.D · May 22, 2018, 13:33

Hi all

I have some recurring issues with Lambda sensors. Swapped a couple for the MOT earlier this month. Heater element had failed. 2 weeks later and the heater has failed in the replacements

I know this is a common issue, but is there anything that can cause it to fail regularly? Wiring, bad earth possibly?

I get there is a resistor which can be fitted to 'fool' the ecu into thinking it's all good. Are there any negatives in doing this (Emissions etc). I'd still rather get to the cause though

What value resistor should I be looking at to try and get life back from my current sensors?

Any clues most welcome - Thanks guys (and girls)

Ardent · May 22, 2018, 17:54

What were the replacements
New?
Old?
Brand?

Justin.D · May 22, 2018, 18:45

Quote from: Ardent on May 22, 2018, 17:54
What were the replacements
New?
Old?
Brand?

Denso - Old, from Dean @ Rutland

The only current working one I have is an NTK (NGK) which was new last summer

frogger · May 22, 2018, 23:47

I've just had the top right sensor fail... replaced with the £30 denso unit (the solder the wires yourself unit, not the one with the plug attached).

.... Then the top left failed immediately after... replaced with another £30 denso unit ...

.... Then I've just had the exhaust apart for other reasons and am now getting P0420 codes from the 3rd sensor .... Arrrgh lol

I'm not replacing that one. It's getting a spacer and being sent to the naughty step, seeing as it's not part of the closed loop fuelling system anyway.

frogger · May 22, 2018, 23:48

Sorry, should have said - in answer to "does anything may them fail quickly?" ... yes... handling them and using tools on them!

That's why the second hand units are riskier (albeit cheap).. And why I've had a chain reaction of failures.

Justin.D · May 23, 2018, 09:38

Thanks. Just ordered a Denso one from local Motor Factors. £31.45 (Seemingly with the plug - I'll find out when I get chance to collect on Friday)

Hopefully the end of my current woes

BahnStormer · May 23, 2018, 11:23

I think the cheapest I've ever seen those is £47, but normally ~£60, so £31 seems v cheap - let's hope it's incl the plugs as that makes things a lot more reliable - limits chances of you damaging them as you solder the wiring, etc. I wouldn't touch 2nd hand ones unless they were a freebie stop-gap solution to get though an MOT - seems crazy to pay for one and go through the hassle of installing them only to have to do it over and over again...

Careful with ditching the post-cat one - not part of fuelling, so you can, but that needs a spacer AND custom wiring on the plug to stop the EML light from coming on - otherwise that's also an MOT fail, thanks to the latest MOT rule changes.

Justin.D · May 25, 2018, 13:57

Can't quite believe it. £31.45 for a Denso sensor WITH plug. I spoke to the lady in the motor factors when the 1st one arrived. She confirmed it was with the plug so I ordered another. If I had the money I'd clear the shelf!! It's a special offer - when they're gone they're gone - Only 4 left across all the stores before they go up to £70 ish

Anyone wants to know where, please drop me a PM. Only in East Midlands I'm afraid (Mods, please delete this bit if not allowed)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TVfzfjQjIn6dvKWc2

Treboeth · May 25, 2018, 13:59

Time for a very small Group Buy

Ardent · May 25, 2018, 20:47

Where in the midlands receipt out of focus (dof) i could possibly clear shelf and bring to ding day

Justin.D · May 25, 2018, 21:40

Quote from: Ardent on May 25, 2018, 20:47
Where in the midlands receipt out of focus (dof) i could possibly clear shelf and bring to ding day

PM'd