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thatguitarguy · 11-25-2009, 05:38 PM

Or, what does the ECU want from the O2 sensor?

I have a 95 Civic with the 1.6 VTEC and I have an O2 sensor that codes a bad heater circuit, so I've been trying to remove it. I got the special socket and that's just been rounding it off. I WD40d it, torched it, and I can't get it to break loose. I have a replacement sensor, so I plugged that into the socket without screwing it into the exhaust, and the CEL goes off, and the car runs great.

So I'm wondering, with the sensor out in the air as opposed to in the exhaust, I'm assuming that it's reading high O2. My understanding is that the ECU will be calling for a richer mixture to try to cure the condition. That is not what I want. I'd rather have a lean condition for FE sake. (I really want the sensor reading the exhaust like it's supposed to do), but my question is for tweekers who trick the ECU into providing a lean burn, how is this done? And how badly will I screw things up if I run it this way for awhile?

11-25-2009, 05:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
thatguitarguy Master EcoModder Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Leadville, CO Posts: 509 Maroon Ballon - '98 Chrysler Town & Country LXI 90 day: 26.42 mpg (US) MaEsTRO - '95 Geo Metro 5spd hatch, 3 cyl Thanks: 47 Thanked 54 Times in 38 Posts	What does the O2 sensor want? Or, what does the ECU want from the O2 sensor? I have a 95 Civic with the 1.6 VTEC and I have an O2 sensor that codes a bad heater circuit, so I've been trying to remove it. I got the special socket and that's just been rounding it off. I WD40d it, torched it, and I can't get it to break loose. I have a replacement sensor, so I plugged that into the socket without screwing it into the exhaust, and the CEL goes off, and the car runs great. So I'm wondering, with the sensor out in the air as opposed to in the exhaust, I'm assuming that it's reading high O2. My understanding is that the ECU will be calling for a richer mixture to try to cure the condition. That is not what I want. I'd rather have a lean condition for FE sake. (I really want the sensor reading the exhaust like it's supposed to do), but my question is for tweekers who trick the ECU into providing a lean burn, how is this done? And how badly will I screw things up if I run it this way for awhile?