Technical Lambda Sensors: Learn from my mistakes

[MikeSalt]

When you have an intermittent lambda sensor fault, check more obvious things before forking out for a new sensor. It cost me £70, 2 hours and a possible permanent scar to my wrist to work this one out. In the end, all it was was a dirty contact between the ECU and wiring loom, solved in 5 minutes.

How I did it:
1) Read fault using MultiECUScan.
2) Replaced lambda sensor at cost of £70 and 2 hours of my time.
3) Fault still there, so sprayed contact cleaner on lambda sensor to wiring loom connector.
4) Fault still there, so sprayed contact cleaner on both ECU to wiring loom plugs.
5) Problem solved.

How I should have done it:
1) Read fault using MultiECUScan
2) Measured resistance from sensor wiring
3) Confirmed sensor OK, sprayed contact cleaner on all relevant connectors at a cost of only £4 and 5 minutes of time.
4) Problem solved.

So I'm left with a used, but fully functioning post-cat (Bank 1, Sensor 2) lambda sensor for a Punto HGT, free to any FiatForum member if they want it.

Cheers,

Mick

 

[Brendan W]

Honorary life membership of the ready fire aim club
Anyone who hasn't done similar hasn't done anything imho. Thanks for the post. B

 

[MikeSalt]

I am most definitely a member of the ready, fire, aim club. Spot the obvious chronological error for the actual fitting of the lambda sensor:

1) Take car to flat bit of road outside parents' house.
2) Jack car up and secure on axle stands.
3) Twist back awkwardly whilst loosening the sensor (a couple of weeks of pain).
4) Take a huge chunk of skin off my wrist reaching down into the engine bay.
5) Rain starts, lie in a puddle for the second half of the work.
6) Move into new house with spacious garage including inspection pit.

 

[s and b]

theres nothing poncy about wearing gloves
i always do if blood is feared


oh and sorry to hear about your wallet beating
personally i would keep the lambda

 

[MikeSalt]

personally i would keep the lambda

To be honest, I can only see the car surviving another year or two, so I fully expect the brand new lambda sensor it currently has to live longer than the car. Another FF member may as well benefit from my mistakes.