Lambda Sensor

marksch · Post by **marksch** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 12:48 pm

Split from Testing the Lambda Sensor

Hi John Turbo,

great howto article, read it carefully and recognized two
symptoms of wich my 480 suffered badly;
Engine stutter and 1200 rpm idle.
Already replaced most of the common service components
during the last years, i keep it in good condition.
Had the cat removed for the clutch replacement and
fitted a new lamda sensor, as you mention;
''its not rediculous to view them as a service item, much like the cambelt."
Et voilla;
no more stutter and no more 1200 rpm idle,
engine runs smoother, picks up revs smoother, more
responsive reaction on gas.
Chief (Audi) mechanic at my work explained it like a new lambda sensor
delivers accurate readings to the ecu and thus correct and faster output.

Thanx for yet another lesson in learning 480's.
Greetz, Mark

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:25 pm

Excellent News Mark.

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:31 pm

I have installed my A/F gauge and noticed a few times after a while the gauge goes out like it's got no signal otherwise I'm getting a good A/F reading.

Signal is being taken from sensor cable direct using a good connection.

Suspect sensor is duff after a good heat up.

However engine idles @ 800 rpm and power seems normal.

marksch · Post by **marksch** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:55 pm

From what i have been told and experience now as a result of
the replacement i think your sensor is duff, period.
If the signal is not continues and within range as specs,
it must be faulty.
I am not in to electronics, but can a signal as this be split up
or taken from a cable like that, or does just this invoke a
disturbancy in the signal?
In short, should this not be left alone and not monitored continously?
Say like can-bus signals?

Greetz, Mark

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 2:20 pm

I suspect it's duff, Yes continously now and without I would not have suspected it's duff as it's taken a few weeks to show this.

I doubt taking the signal off the direct cable is causing problems. I used to run a gauge when I had the t25/SUPER rich mod and 3 bar map and modded MAF now that was a fast 480. That input was off the ECU pin.

Sorry do not know much of CANbus.

guitarcarfanatic · Post by **guitarcarfanatic** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:24 pm

I must of missed this post when it was first written by John but I have to say a huge thanks for this! Very interesting to know, Well done buddy!

marksch · Post by **marksch** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 6:24 pm

I'm new and and don't want to violate like this rule
'Just don't start debates in this forum' for howto's that is,
on the other hand, it's a free world, so:
Don't be sorry for not knowing much of Canbus,
i don't know anything about it, other than being a fairly new way
of communication between components used in cars/the automotive industrie, via certain protocols.Just mentioned it as example.
As said, i'm not in to electronics and suppose splitting signals like of lambda sensor than won't harm, maybe somebody else can explain this?
Even so i am/and then again not, supprised for one component having so much influence on enjoying my 480 ride.
Greetz, Mark

Big Brother · Post by **Big Brother** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 8:28 pm

Topic Split

marksch wrote:I'm new and and don't want to violate like this rule
'Just don't start debates in this forum' for howto's that is,
on the other hand, it's a free world, so

Rules are there to be followed not broken, if you want to start a conversation then please start it in the relevant forum.

marksch · Post by **marksch** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 8:43 pm

Point taken, and no offence but this is what we call in
Holland : ' een inkoppertje''
like ' i handed it out to you'
but then you are a moderator and indeed rules are there to be followed,

Greetz, Mark

Big Brother · Post by **Big Brother** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 9:03 pm

No offence taken, its just my job

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 1:08 pm

So lets change the bloody rules!!

The members make this forum, and while I know you're just following the rules in place, so I don't blame you at all, I know it pisses me off, and everyone else i've talked to about it.

I'd even go as far as to attribute the decline of use of this forum partially to the increase in regimentation.

Who likes organised fun after all?

In this case Mark's initial post very much validates my how-to guide, as it's abilitys to solve certain problems was purely speculative!
As was my "service item" comment.

guitarcarfanatic · Post by **guitarcarfanatic** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 4:11 pm

Don't get me started! My post isn't even discussion, merely thnaking you for the post and it's been moved too! Hopefully Daniel will change the rules as "How to's" surely need discussion and elaboration. What if someone finds a better way of doing something?

guitarcarfanatic · Post by **guitarcarfanatic** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 4:12 pm

hang on this is going to get moved! It's off topic!

Big Brother · Post by **Big Brother** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 7:42 pm

I think its more a case of when someone starts a 'How To' thread what Daniel didn't want was for the thread to become cluttered with other posts and then someone add something on 3 pages later.

If you think the rules need to be changed then PM Daniel or Gaz and ask them, I am just here to enforce the rules I have had a hand in making rules for the Diary forum but not the How To forum.

When someone doesn't like a moderation decision made on here (even if its not made by me) I usually bear the brunt of their anger and so thats why recently I have just said if you don't like it contact Daniel or Gaz and thats that. To be quite honest compared to some forums I have been on the rules about the discussion of moderation is very relaxed, one forum I have been on in the past bans the discussion of moderation and if you publicly challenge a moderators decision you get banned instantly. IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m glad this forum does not have a policy as strict as that.

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 11:44 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvIs0_tNv2k

That's my A/F in operation.

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 12:24 am

Mart...mine had a needle, but was doing that.

I assume the lights go out when the voltage drops below 0.2v

Check with a voltmeter?

I bought a new sensor, seemed to cure it.

marksch · Post by **marksch** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 1:03 pm

JohnTurbo wrote:Mart...mine had a needle, but was doing that.

I assume the lights go out when the voltage drops below 0.2v

Check with a voltmeter?

I bought a new sensor, seemed to cure it.

John, new sensor being a lambda sensor ? and cured what exactly?
now we are in the right forum we can continue the conversation

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 1:53 pm

Mark..

The last lambda sensor I changed was doing similar to martin's video....reading no voltage at all from time to time. The sensor should only read as low as 0.2v.

My emissions were too high too...i forget what it was, probably CO.

With a new sensor, my a/f meter reading was much better and it passed its MOT test for emissions.

Melvin480 · Post by **Melvin480** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:12 pm

I've just meassured my lambda sensor while driving with the multimeter on my dashboard

Attached a piece of wire to the connector near the sensor and lead it into the car.

Before starting it gives 0.5V, which is I guess the standard value if there isn't any signal. When running it shows 0.1V. After warming up it becomes 0.33V all the time, no matter if I'm accelarating or slowing down on the engine (0L/100km). It keeps saying 0.30-0.33V. So the sensor must be dead.

I've ordered a new Bosch sensor which is the same as the original. It will be here next week. Until then, what should I do? Leave it like it is now, because it has worked. Or should I disconnect the sensor so the ECU goes in open loop mode? It is a '89 turbo with an orange ECU. I have to drive more than 300km the next couple of days before I get the new sensor.

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:57 pm

I'd just leave it I think, until you have a new one.