I've tried search twice now and it says server down, so if it's been covered I apologize. I need clarification on the exact purpose of the secondary O2 sensor. More specifically on an RSX Type S. I recently purchased a Comptech Race header and more than likely will receive a CEL tomorrow when I install.

While I plan on trying the defouler method of fooling the CEL and clearing it, should it not work or should I need to drive around with the CEL for a period of time, what are the effects? I have been told two things. a.) Just saying the cat has failed, absolutely zero effects on performance, just ignore the light. b.) It will indeed modify AF ratio in an attempt to correct the failure.

So which is it. If I delete the cat and the car no longer sees it and thus throws a CEL, will my performance be affected negatively? Or should I ignore it (that is assuming the CEL does NOT modify AF ratios or work off any equations or readings)

Thanks for the help!

 

catylist effeciency is what certain people are calling it. some are saying it's just a warning light to have the cat replaced (if it was unmodified) and the other half are saying it does in fact hinder performance just as a failed primary 02 would... saying that if it tries to correct the inefficiencies by modifying the AF ratio. It's not a limp mode, but it's not how it 'should be' running.

Which of these is it anyhow?

 

i'd go with answer "A"

even in my manuel... it's says that the seconadry 02 sensor is just there to check and see if the cat is working. the check engine light will go on informing you that one of your emmision equip. is failing.

**it's just a matter of can you stand seeing the light.

 

im having problems with primary o2

 

Just a thought:

I noticed a significat decrease in performance when I had a secondary o2 heater malfunction code with my OBD2 ecu.