running lean, need help!! - Honda Prelude Forum

JDMPower · 04-18-2002, 05:50 PM

My car is running really lean right now. On my A/F gauge, the bars stay in lean all the time. Even when I floor it. Before, when I floored it, it would stay near rich. Also when I floor my car, it makes a loud pop after I shift. I'm not sure but I think it's my O2 sensor. I have a universal O2 sensor and solder on the wires. When I was changing my oil, I accidently brushed up against it. I re-soldered it and it's still running lean. It's not throwing any CEL. Is it my O2 that's making me run lean?? thanks.

marcucci · 04-18-2002, 07:30 PM

Sound like you've jacked up your O2 sensor. I suggest going and getting a new factory or Bosch one and not soldering anything to it. Solder usually doesn't stick at all to O2 sensor wires, they have to be crimped. Use the factory style connector and if you still want the gauge, splice it without soldering. Use grease-filled butt splices and make sure they are crimpled properly.

JDMPower · 04-19-2002, 02:54 AM

yeah, I'm pretty sure it's the O2 sensor. How much is it from the Honda dealerships?? Where can I get a Bosch?? Whichever one I can get the cheapest I'll buy. I have my A/F gauge connected to my wiring by the ECU. I used the t-taps(I think that's what they're called) to tap into my O2 sensor wiring.

marcucci · 04-19-2002, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JDMPower
yeah, I'm pretty sure it's the O2 sensor. How much is it from the Honda dealerships?? Where can I get a Bosch??

From a dealer I think it's between $50 and $100 depending on where you go. The Bosch ones are less, you can get them at just about any parts store. Just be sure to get one with the factory connector so it will plug in.

Quote:

Whichever one I can get the cheapest I'll buy. I have my A/F gauge connected to my wiring by the ECU. I used the t-taps(I think that's what they're called) to tap into my O2 sensor wiring.

That should be OK, as long as you didn't T it in the wrong way and cut the factory wire. The O2 sensor wires (on the sensor itself) are impossible to solder to, so I would suspect that's it. I'd say go for a new sensor... with the proper connector.

JDMPower · 04-20-2002, 02:44 PM

thanks for the help. One more question. when I'm flooring it and shift to the next gear, my car backfires. Is this a sign of running lean?? thanks.

marcucci · 04-21-2002, 08:20 PM

That's a sign of running rich, very rich. Your O2 is probably open (no signal to the ECU) and it's in limp mode with a fixed fuel map. Not only is this bad for emissions and fuel economy, it will foul your O2 and cat... get a new O2 and get it fixed.

Frost_White94Si · 04-21-2002, 08:49 PM

www.oxygensensors.com
www.hondaautomotiveparts.com