Whats the scoop on O2 Simulators? Do they / can they replace your secondary O2 sensor? Do they work? IF so who makes a good one and where can you buy them from?

Here is the thing. I have a testpipe and I believe my after-cat O2 is bad. I dont want to buy a new one cuz they're like 200$ and that's $$$ that could go towards a performance mod. So if i can just buy a simulator and be gravy I'll be happy about that.

I know the secondary one reads hot and cold temp as apposed to air/fuel. with a testpipe there is nothing slowing down the exhaust so the sensor will read that its to hot meaning the cat is not doing its job. If the sensor is to cold it will also throw a code. I dont know how the simulator works or if it even dose. I think it works on voltage. Like it sends certain voltages for different temperatures.

So if anybody knows the skinny on O2 Simulators please let me know. I'm thankful for any help.

 

ive had an O2 sim for about 4 years now without any probs not sure where i got mine but im sure u can find them on ebay.

 

The secondary O2 doesn't read temperature. I reads your A/F ratio just like the first one. Only difference is that after the cat the reading is supposed to be a steady 14.7:1 ratio instead of a rich/lean alternance.

I you don't have a cat, your secondary O2 is reading a rich/lean alternance indicating a malfunction (or in your case absence).

O2 sensors put out a voltage. All you have to do to trick the ECU is send the same voltage a 14.7:1 ratio would send.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jamez &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The secondary O2 doesn't read temperature. I reads your A/F ratio just like the first one. Only difference is that after the cat the reading is supposed to be a steady 14.7:1 ratio instead of a rich/lean alternance.

I you don't have a cat, your secondary O2 is reading a rich/lean alternance indicating a malfunction (or in your case absence).

O2 sensors put out a voltage. All you have to do to trick the ECU is send the same voltage a 14.7:1 ratio would send.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not exactly. While the 2nd O2 does read the post-catalytic converter a/f ratio, it's not suppose to be a steady 14.7:1. The catalytic converter uses O2 to oxidize the nasty stuff. If it's using O2, this would show up as a rich condition. On a decel condition, when the ECU cuts the injectors off, the 2nd O2 should show a totally lean condition. So trying to provide the ECU with a steady DC voltage that corresponds to whatever the ECU is actually looking for from the 2nd O2 sensor wouldn't work since it needs to change to suit certain driving conditions.

 

http://o2simulator.com/

 

thanks everyone for all the help

Much appreciated

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ekb16 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://o2simulator.com/</TD></TR></TABLE>

note that their o2simulator doesnt work for any acura model according to their faq page.

 

when using an O2 sim, do you still have to have the secondary O2 plugged into the cat.
I have a 96 EK HB w/ a GSR swap, I'm getting three codes, one is my CKF sensor, the other is some evap crap, but the third is PO171, which according to my helms is System too lean, Primary HO2S (Sensor 1). But my secondary O2 isn't even plugged into the cat, it's sitting ziptied near the battery, I do have the sim soddered on for that sensor.
I'm thinking I need to replace my primary O2 sensor, maybe it's just bad...but I thought for a moment that maybe I needed to plug the other one in?

Can someone shed some light on that?
Thanks
Vic

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by integraduo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">when using an O2 sim, do you still have to have the secondary O2 plugged into the cat.
I have a 96 EK HB w/ a GSR swap, I'm getting three codes, one is my CKF sensor, the other is some evap crap, but the third is PO171, which according to my helms is System too lean, Primary HO2S (Sensor 1). But my secondary O2 isn't even plugged into the cat, it's sitting ziptied near the battery, I do have the sim soddered on for that sensor.
I'm thinking I need to replace my primary O2 sensor, maybe it's just bad...but I thought for a moment that maybe I needed to plug the other one in?

Can someone shed some light on that?
Thanks
Vic</TD></TR></TABLE>

bump anyone got answers