Replacement Lambda Sensors

[pete.g]

I've bought an Audi allroad 2.7T - the fuel consumption is even worse than I anticipated and the CEL has flicekered on and off a couple of times and a quick check with a fault code reader threw up lambda sensor problems on both banks.

Has anyone any advice regarding using generic replacements which require a cable splice - I'm quite happy to do this, or is it a false economy. (£40 - 80 for generic vs £150 - £180 for genuine - that price is for both).

Thanks

[fatjon]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lambda-Sensor-AUDI-A6-Avant-...

this company does them with the original connector on, pukka bosch ones too.

[fatjon]

BUT it's more likely the MAF sensor thats failing. The on board diagnostics on audis are rubbish like most cars and you have to interpret what they tell you. Lambdas say it's too rich for the airflow and injector pulse width so the ECU tells you the lambdas are stuffed. You pay audi to change them and it's actually the airflow figure thats wrong so they get to empty your wallet again for a MAF sensor. Unlikely you have 2 duff lambdas, although admittedly not impossible. Choose what plays up on my A6 the ecu diagnostics have never got it right yet! I bought an aftermarket Audi diag tool (vag com) as I got well sick of Audi dealers having my trousers down and at least with this tool I don't get had for £60 just for them to plug in an give me a duff diagnosis.

Jon

[stevieturbo]

fatjon said:

BUT it's more likely the MAF sensor thats failing. The on board diagnostics on audis are rubbish like most cars and you have to interpret what they tell you. Lambdas say it's too rich for the airflow and injector pulse width so the ECU tells you the lambdas are stuffed. You pay audi to change them and it's actually the airflow figure thats wrong so they get to empty your wallet again for a MAF sensor. Unlikely you have 2 duff lambdas, although admittedly not impossible. Choose what plays up on my A6 the ecu diagnostics have never got it right yet! I bought an aftermarket Audi diag tool (vag com) as I got well sick of Audi dealers having my trousers down and at least with this tool I don't get had for £60 just for them to plug in an give me a duff diagnosis.

Jon

But if you ge someone competent enough to diagnose the car properly...then they wont just blindly read fault codes, and should be able to get the problem without changing unnecessary parts.

[fatjon]

Agreed, in my experience you won't find that at the Audi dealer. Of course that is only my experience, I have no doubt that there are some very competent Audi technicians, just don't look for one in Doncaster, I won't mention the dealers name, but I think there's only one anyway!