A/F Ratio Guage

[XECLIPZEX]

I just helped one of my friends hook up an autometer a/f guage in his 97 awd Talon a/t. Well after getting the guage wired up we take it down the road to se how well the guage works, when we start off the guage sweeps around like normal but at wot it will not give any reading. The face goes blank like it does when you back off the gas. I used the wiring diagram on RRE's website and checked the wires and connections numerous times to make for sure thet where accurate and according to RRE they are. Also I used the same diagram to install an a/f guage in my car and done everything exactly the same as his and mine works fine. I am stumped about this one I have no clue about what is wrong. Does anyone know what could be causing this to happen?

 

[Defiant]

Bad gauge? Bad O2 sensor?

 

[XECLIPZEX]

If it was a bad o2 sensor wouldnt the cel be on

 

[xxconvict]

Those are POS's man. I have an autometer sport comp just for looks, i wouldnt worry about that, all it is is looks. ya know? Mine does the exact same thing. I dont think there really is a fix for it. What you should get is the volt meter over at RRE. Maybe you have 2 wires crossed or something? I once read that there is a way to set them up so they only work at wot. I've never seen it but i read it. Search around, maybe u'll find something. But nevertheless, i wouldnt look toward that guage for an acruate reading.

 

[johnk]

when you let off the gas the voltage drops to 0 or .01 so it going to be at the butt end of the gauge and when your at WOT your ECU poors on the fuel so it the O2 hits the roof at .99 or 1 volt solid. Plus if your O2 sensor is bad it won't turn on for a while. The O2 has to be really really dead not on its way or the CEL won't come on and you have to drive around for a while 15-30 minutes.

 

[blackGSX2g]

Yea, in order for the computer to trip the engine light, you need to do two consecutive 45mph plus 'cruises' for approximately a half hor or so. Basically 2 decent back to back interstate trips that last for at least a half hour or so. The sensor has to be really dead though, I think as long as its getting a halfway decent reading, it won't trip the computer.

 

[Thunderskull]

Is the gauge properly grounded? You might want to check the wiring again. Did you solder or crimp the connections?

 

[XECLIPZEX]

I crimped the wires and made sure all of them had a good connection, I am beginning to think it is the guage that is messed up because the car is driven from Birmingham to here alot and that is more than a 30 minute drive its more like an hour and a half and if the sensor hasnt burned up yet then I dont think that is the problem. I think we are going to take the guage out of his car and put it in mine and leave mine hooked up also. If the guage gives the same reading as mine then it would have to be to o2 sensor but if not it would have to be the guage.