Dead Wideband O2 sensors

[Steve_D]

I have two sensors used on our workshop wideband rig (Innovate LM2). They are Bosch LSU4.2.
Both are dead giving an error 8.

I suspect both have suffered condensation or any mix of other contaminates.

Is there any way of cleaning them?
I'm quite happy to try anything being as they are scrap at this point in time.

Steve

[Pupp]

Going through a full heater calibration, followed by a free air calibration will sometimes get them going again

[Steve_D]

Pupp said:

Going through a full heater calibration, followed by a free air calibration will sometimes get them going again

Is the heater cal different to selecting 'Cal Sensor' from the mode menu?

If so, then how is it selected?

Thanks
Steve

[Pupp]

It is a different process as far as I know but not sure how to get there on an LM2 controller... I had the same code and an occasionally 'dead' sensor on the car with an LC1 and XD-16 combination, which could be recalibrated from the gauge to get going again. The manuals are all on-line so worth a google.

[Sardonicus]

Pupp said:

Going through a full heater calibration, followed by a free air calibration will sometimes get them going again

Same thing on the LM2 from memory

[Richyvrlimited]

I contacted Innovate not long ago to enquire if O2 sensors can be cleaned and resurrected.

Apparently the bulk of the time when you get an error code 8, the ceramic housing for the heater/pump cell has cracked, so they're non-recoverable.

[anonymous-user]

Indeed that is so, In OEM applications the sensor heater is not enabled until after the dew point temperature in the exhaust at the sensor location has been exceeded (usually 2-3sec after start) (to prevent condensate boiling and cracking the ceramic)

[Steve_D]

Thanks for the responce guys.
Damn....Best I can find is about £60 each...ouch.

Steve

[Sardonicus]

Steve_D said:

Thanks for the responce guys.
Damn....Best I can find is about £60 each...ouch.

Steve

Yep, thats about right when I was looking for a spare as back up (I have the LM2) but mine as not let me down in 3 years you watch it will die now

[stevieturbo]

Steve_D said:

Thanks for the responce guys.
Damn....Best I can find is about £60 each...ouch.

Steve

Ouch ? That's cheap !

I recall my first wideband was over £600 twelve years ago ( and still in my car today ), and replacement sensors were in the £250 region !

[Blair357ci]

stevieturbo said:

Steve_D said:

Thanks for the responce guys.
Damn....Best I can find is about 60 each...ouch.

Steve

Ouch ? That's cheap !

I recall my first wideband was over 600 twelve years ago ( and still in my car today ), and replacement sensors were in the 250 region !

But they prob last more than a few months unlike LM2 sensors

[Sardonicus]

Blair357ci said:

But they prob last more than a few months unlike LM2 sensors

To be honest my LM2 as been totally reliable apart from freezing initially with the shipped Firmware, the Innovate forums did give it a bashing though I reckon my Oxygen sensor as done about 15K and this is the one that came with the package just lucky I guess.

[stevieturbo]

Blair357ci said:

But they prob last more than a few months unlike LM2 sensors

It's not so much the LM2 sensors dont last long. It's more the sensors dont last as long with the LM2.

[Blair357ci]

stevieturbo said:

Blair357ci said:

But they prob last more than a few months unlike LM2 sensors

It's not so much the LM2 sensors dont last long. It's more the sensors dont last as long with the LM2.

Yeah that's true.