Deasel
Probationary Member
- 4
- 0
- Jun 23, 2003
Car: 98 Eclipse GST; 90,000 miles; basically stock
Competence: Above average
Problem: sluggish acceleration, CEL, rear 02 sensor, dies at idle
Today I worked on my ignition system. First I replaced the spark plugs (NGK BPR6ES) because my acceleration was sluggish and they haven't been changed in a while (maybe since new!).
Next, I addressed the rear, post Cat, O2 sensor because of a Check Engine Light (CEL) throwing code P0135- O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1). I bought a new Bosch sensor and started to replace the sensor.
Question 1: To remove the sensor completely I have to disconnect the electrical cable from the car. Well, the connector leads up inside the car somewhere under the carpet. If I want to disconnect the connector do I remove the center console or the driver's seat?
Problem: The sun went down and I quit for the night. I securely zip-tied the O2 sensor under the car since I couldn't disconnect it completely and left the threaded hole open in the exhaust where the sensor went. Turned on the car- of course it was louder with the hole open but it idled really low (~500rpm versus usual 900rpm) and eventually bogged down and died (repeatedly).
Question 2: Why would a small hole behind the Cat cause the car to idle low and die? What is causing the bad idle/dying- the hole, the ECU in response to the free-hanging O2 sensor, spark plugs, something else?
Question 3: What do I do about my O2 sensor and Check Engine Light? It is common knowledge that the rear O2 isn't that important and most Eclipse owners say they ignore it or bypass it. Also, most posts say they just remove the O2 sensor and let it hang...but what do you do about the hole? And no one has ever addressed the fact that a CEL from the rear O2 sensor may in fact mean your Cat is clogged, etc. I mean, my car has 90k on it, maybe the 02 sensor is working and telling me the Cat is bad?
Any help is appreciated. I'm going to get back under the car at first light before church. Let me know what you think, or if you need more info.
-Jason
Competence: Above average
Problem: sluggish acceleration, CEL, rear 02 sensor, dies at idle
Today I worked on my ignition system. First I replaced the spark plugs (NGK BPR6ES) because my acceleration was sluggish and they haven't been changed in a while (maybe since new!).
Next, I addressed the rear, post Cat, O2 sensor because of a Check Engine Light (CEL) throwing code P0135- O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1). I bought a new Bosch sensor and started to replace the sensor.
Question 1: To remove the sensor completely I have to disconnect the electrical cable from the car. Well, the connector leads up inside the car somewhere under the carpet. If I want to disconnect the connector do I remove the center console or the driver's seat?
Problem: The sun went down and I quit for the night. I securely zip-tied the O2 sensor under the car since I couldn't disconnect it completely and left the threaded hole open in the exhaust where the sensor went. Turned on the car- of course it was louder with the hole open but it idled really low (~500rpm versus usual 900rpm) and eventually bogged down and died (repeatedly).
Question 2: Why would a small hole behind the Cat cause the car to idle low and die? What is causing the bad idle/dying- the hole, the ECU in response to the free-hanging O2 sensor, spark plugs, something else?
Question 3: What do I do about my O2 sensor and Check Engine Light? It is common knowledge that the rear O2 isn't that important and most Eclipse owners say they ignore it or bypass it. Also, most posts say they just remove the O2 sensor and let it hang...but what do you do about the hole? And no one has ever addressed the fact that a CEL from the rear O2 sensor may in fact mean your Cat is clogged, etc. I mean, my car has 90k on it, maybe the 02 sensor is working and telling me the Cat is bad?
Any help is appreciated. I'm going to get back under the car at first light before church. Let me know what you think, or if you need more info.
-Jason
