O2 sensor cable extension?

For discussing how to choose sensors and create a wiring harness for all Bowling and Grippo versions of the MegaSquirt® EFI controller.
Forum rules
Read the manual to see if your question is answered there before posting. Many users will not reply if the answer is already available in the manual.

If your question is about troubleshooting, configuration, or tuning, you MUST include your processor type (MS-I or MS-II) and code version in your post. If your question is about PCB assembly or modifications, you must also include the main board version number (1.01, 2.2 or 3.0).

If you have questions about MS1/Extra or MS2/Extra code configuration or tuning, please post them at www.msextra.com Such questions posted here will be moved to: a temporary MSextra sub-forum, where they will be removed after 7 days

The full forum rules are here: Forum Rules, be sure to read them all regularly.
Post Reply
GGR
MegaSquirt Newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:15 am

O2 sensor cable extension?

Post by GGR »

Hi,
Hi all,

I got an Innovate LC-1 Digital Wideband Controller with Sensor - 3769 from DIYAutoTune and I've been trying to fit it on my car. Unfortunately there is no satisfactory location to fit the Sensor Controller built in the cable . The best solution would be to lengthen the O2 sensor cable or fit a ready made 02 sensor cable extension if it exists for that model, so that I can fix the Sensor Controller on the fire wall next to the MS Relay Board.

My questions are:

Do O2 sensor cable extensions exist for that model and if yes where can I get one?

If cable extensions do not exist for that model what is the best way to extend the the 02 sensor cable? I've read a lot of contradictory info on whether soldering extension wires will affect the O2 sensor "fresh air" reading or not.

Thanks in advance!
Matt Cramer
Super Squirter
Posts: 2951
Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2004 11:35 am

Re: O2 sensor cable extension?

Post by Matt Cramer »

I've talked to Innovate about this; they strongly do not recommend extending the sensor cable. They claim it affects the accuracy.
GGR
MegaSquirt Newbie
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:15 am

Re: O2 sensor cable extension?

Post by GGR »

Thanks! I guess I will drill a hole in the trans tunnel so that I can pass the sensor through there and have the rest of the set-up inside the car. There is not much room in the tunel and below it would be too close to the downpipes.
Stag76
MegaSquirt Newbie
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue May 09, 2006 4:56 pm
Location: Toowoomba Qld australia

Re: O2 sensor cable extension?

Post by Stag76 »

Hi Matt,

Do you have any info. on how the accuracy is affected? I've been using a sensor that I extended the cable on, and
I blissfully thought it was still working OK, which is probably not the case. There is a Part NO 3737L that is listed as a
sensor with long cable.
EWflyer
Helpful Squirter
Posts: 40
Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2009 12:00 pm

Re: O2 sensor cable extension?

Post by EWflyer »

I've got a question that might fit in with this discussion.

My project is a small motorcycle with very little space to put everything a fuel injection system needs. I've got it all installed in a pretty clean and logical manner, but there are a couple of little issues. One item is the O2 sensor cable (routing from the Innovate LC-1 controller to the sensor itself). The cable has to go around several corners and is routed pretty tightly through the bike.

This makes it difficult to unscrew the O2 sensor from the bung in the exhaust because there's not a lot of free cable to take the twisting. I have to disconnect the plug from the LC-1 controller and partially remove the cable from the bike to get enough slack to allow me to unscrew the sensor from the bung.

Would it be a bad thing to cut the cable near the sensor and install (solder in) a quick-disconnect type of connector to make it easier to remove the sensor? Would this be a bad idea in the same way as the original question on this thread, which was installing a too-long cable and causing accuracy problems? Or would a well soldered connector be no problem?
DonTZ125
Experienced Squirter
Posts: 337
Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 1:49 pm
Location: Scarborough, ON
Contact:

Re: O2 sensor cable extension?

Post by DonTZ125 »

There is a factory-selected and -installed calibrating resistor in the stock sensor connector. Cutting the cable to add an additional plug in mid-stream may or may not render the sensor unusable. Simply cutting the plug off and discarding it will almost certainly do bad things to the sensor's readings.

I'd re-run your wiring such that the LC-1 connector is handy, and the sensor cable is able to drop free once unplugged.
matthewb
MegaSquirt Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:31 pm

Re: O2 sensor cable extension?

Post by matthewb »

I am also working at installing my lc-1 sensors and had a question about the o2 sensor connector. Does anyone know how to remove (without damaging) the connector on the o2 sensor so the wires could be put through a small hole in the firewall rather than drilling a hole big enough for the whole connector to go through then I could reinsert the pins into the connector. I am afraid to experiment too much for fear of breaking it. There are little holes next to each pin that I would assume are for releasing the pins but want to be sure.

Thanks
landybehr
Helpful Squirter
Posts: 51
Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2005 3:13 am

Re: O2 sensor cable extension?

Post by landybehr »

Hi,

not sure if it really is of any help, but I have recently read (when ordering a LSU4.2 sond from ebay) that they come in different cable lengths. What we usually get is about 0.5m. I have seen a .pdf (google found it for me) with the LSU 4.2 specification data and in the very end of it they wrote that you should contact them (Bosch) in case you need different lengths - while this adresses manufacturers, I think, one might find an application where a longer cable comes with as standard. Don´t know if that still affects the reading from LC-1 (which is supposed to accurate and has served me well for 2years, but not it seems like it´s broken and browsing through the forums points me towars Tech-edge controlles, and, just having glazed at their website, the seem to come with another wire between the controller and the plug of the LSU-sond. So the TE controllers could make a more remote installation of the sensor easily possible ?

(Please do only take this as being in need to be verified)
Range Rover Classic - 4.2V8, c/r 8.9:1, standard - EDIS - KnockSense - Innovate LC-1 - MS-2 (B&G - code 2.883j)(continuous baro)(dualEGO but only one sond used)(stepper IAC)
landybehr
Helpful Squirter
Posts: 51
Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2005 3:13 am

Re: O2 sensor cable extension?

Post by landybehr »

Hi,

maybe this controller could be mentioned in this context. I just happened to order one on ebay. There are some reviews on the MS-Forum. So one could draw his/hers own conclusions from that.

It has a 8ft sensor harness/cable. (together with a gauge built in).

http://www.14point7.com/SLC-Pure-Plus.php
Image
Range Rover Classic - 4.2V8, c/r 8.9:1, standard - EDIS - KnockSense - Innovate LC-1 - MS-2 (B&G - code 2.883j)(continuous baro)(dualEGO but only one sond used)(stepper IAC)
kjones6039
Master Squirter
Posts: 618
Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2006 7:02 pm
Location: Eureka, Nevada USA
Contact:

Re: O2 sensor cable extension?

Post by kjones6039 »

It has a 8ft sensor harness/cable.
Just understand that this cable is NOT the sensor cable per se. It is a diy cable for connecting the sensor to the SLC controller. 14point7 provides the wire and Bosch connector with crimp pins as part of their kit. The sensor cable is no longer than any other Bosch unit.

Ken
1979 Corvette - 383 CID SBC w/ Holley Pro-Jection 900 CFM TBI, 4-85 lb lo-z injectors & Walbro 255 pump
MS2 v3 w/ms2extra 3.4.0 Release
36-1, Delphi LS2/7 coils in wasted spark, driven by v2.0 logic board from JBPerformance
Spartan Lambda Sensor from 14point7
landybehr
Helpful Squirter
Posts: 51
Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2005 3:13 am

Re: O2 sensor cable extension?

Post by landybehr »

yes, that´s what I ment. The sensor itself is made by Bosch (the ones I get usually have about 1.5ft of cable). But while the LC-1 does not come with an extension and therefore I had to put mine into the engine bay (not questioning whether there were optional means of mounting it remotely, or not. At least I haven´t seen an extension for sale when I browsed the online-shop DIY), other controllers (like 14point7) come with a cable to do so as standard. Which not necessarily speaks against the LC-1. It´s just one point to consider for the individual installation.
Range Rover Classic - 4.2V8, c/r 8.9:1, standard - EDIS - KnockSense - Innovate LC-1 - MS-2 (B&G - code 2.883j)(continuous baro)(dualEGO but only one sond used)(stepper IAC)
trakkies
Super Squirter
Posts: 1162
Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:06 am
Location: SW London, UK

Re: O2 sensor cable extension?

Post by trakkies »

My Tech Edge kit came with enough multi-core cable to situate the sensor and controller pretty where anywhere you'd likely want to.
Dave P, London UK.
Rover V-8
MSII V3
EDIS
Tech Edge Wideband
Post Reply