bad 02 sensor?

[hks_97gst]

well my car was sitting for 3-4 months until i was able to fix the water-pump. Then on the first weekend I had it running i went to get it smogged. And this is the first time I've ever tried to smog it. I bought it in Texas, and lived in New Mexico, so I've never had to, and now I'm back in California. So it failed smog, because it wasn't getting any exhaust readings. now i apologize for not knowing the exact readings they didn't get, as this was a few months ago. they told me that my sensors might be dirty since its been sitting, and to drive it some more. but I'm kinda low on cash for the week and i have to register by the end of the week. I'm going to check my o2 sensor to see its dirty, but how to i test it so i know if it needs replacing? Any Help is greatly appreciated guys, thanks in advance.

 

[blackGSX2g]

You want your o2 sensor to cycle voltage between 0.01 and 1.00. If it doesn't cycle, it will need to be replaced. You can check this with a datalogger or by hooking a volt meter into the front o2 signal wire coming into the ECU.

 

[lilGSXthatcould]

also, correct me if i am wrong, but doesn't it need to be warmed up for it to cycle

 

[FORMONTOYA]

If the car had been sitting for an extended period of time waiting on repairs, then I imagine that the battery was disconnected or bleed down to nothing at some point. If that's the case, then what happens when you loose power is that the ECU will "reset" all your sensors to "incomplete". When that happens you have to go through a drive cycle in order for the sensors to read "ready", thus passing inspection.


Don't get me started on the sh!tty method Mitsubishi recommends for drive cycles. A quick search will reveal several posts about how this is a major PITA, it just takes time once the ECU is "reset".

Good luck.