CowPimp
20+ Year Contributor
- 602
- 3
- Aug 4, 2002
-
Silver Spring,
Maryland
When I first purchased my car the Autometer A/F gauge that came installed already worked properly. I believe it started acting strange after my turbo, fuel pump, and downpipe were installed (I did them all at once, check my profile for a complete list of mods). I didn't really care before because I know the A/F gauge doesn't provide much useful info, but I have had some free time lately and thought I might take care of this problem if possible.
The gauge works fine when I first turn my car on after it has cooled down. After a few minutes, the light on the gauge stops bouncing back and forth as normal. It gradually changes from normal bouncing under partial or no throttle to a sloppy bouncing. Multiple lights light up, bouncing back and forth and flashing as they bounce. It is a more sporadic, faster-paced, "sloppy" bouncing than normal. While in the sloppy bouncing stage, the gauge still gives me proper readings at WOT or near that. After a few more minutes, the gauge eventually stops moving at all. The light all the way to the right (Full rich) stays lit and doesn't move even if I go WOT.
I realize the O2 sensor is a common cause of a problem like this. However, I'm pretty confident that the problem is not related to the O2 sensor because the gauge works properly the first few minutes of running and I still get good gas mileage (20MPG with a larger fuel pump and no pressure control).
Keep in mind I didn't actually do the work I mentioned (Install turbo, pump, etc.) Is it possible the mechanic did something to cause this problem? Does the fact that I have an O2 eliminator downpipe mean anything? I had the ECU emissions recall done at some point very close to the time I got those other items installed; is it possible that this is the cause of the problem?
I don't think I have the A/F gauge documentation (I will double check when I get back home today), so I don't really know what to look for in terms of proper connections...
The gauge works fine when I first turn my car on after it has cooled down. After a few minutes, the light on the gauge stops bouncing back and forth as normal. It gradually changes from normal bouncing under partial or no throttle to a sloppy bouncing. Multiple lights light up, bouncing back and forth and flashing as they bounce. It is a more sporadic, faster-paced, "sloppy" bouncing than normal. While in the sloppy bouncing stage, the gauge still gives me proper readings at WOT or near that. After a few more minutes, the gauge eventually stops moving at all. The light all the way to the right (Full rich) stays lit and doesn't move even if I go WOT.
I realize the O2 sensor is a common cause of a problem like this. However, I'm pretty confident that the problem is not related to the O2 sensor because the gauge works properly the first few minutes of running and I still get good gas mileage (20MPG with a larger fuel pump and no pressure control).
Keep in mind I didn't actually do the work I mentioned (Install turbo, pump, etc.) Is it possible the mechanic did something to cause this problem? Does the fact that I have an O2 eliminator downpipe mean anything? I had the ECU emissions recall done at some point very close to the time I got those other items installed; is it possible that this is the cause of the problem?
I don't think I have the A/F gauge documentation (I will double check when I get back home today), so I don't really know what to look for in terms of proper connections...
