I've thrown a CEL-1 "bad O2 sensor" twice in the past 2 weeks. Just yesterday, the car sputtered while accelerating in 1st gear at 20% throttle around 2-4k rpm. This morning, it took about 10 min before it finally fired up. Before that it would just crank over (and I would smell gas). I threw another CEL today and it is still sputtering during part throttle blips. It seems that the O2 sensor is the culprit (since the CEL in occuring) and I have one on the way, but I was wondering if it may be something else. I just don't understand how a bad O2 sensor could affect a car starting up (on a cold morning). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

The same thing happened to me! Luckly I have a V-AFC so I just leaned it all the way out and it started up for me.

What i think it might be is the ECU just keeps richening it up since it doesn't get a valid o2 sensor signal, then it just finally gets too rich to run.

 

Sounds good! I also have a VAFC. I'll lean out the lowest RPM setting tomorrow. Sensor should be here in 2 days.

Thanks!

 

Ooh I wouldn't do that till you get your new o2 sensor, I'm kinda paranoid that it might relearn it and run it even richer next time, so rich you won't be able to get it started with the Vafc. If I were you I woudln't try starting it till you have the new O2 Sensor.

Also remeber to use the Wide throttle setting.