Miata Mailing List: October 1997, Message #13
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From: 	Steve Lewinski <slewinski@mindspring.com>

Subject: Re: No O2 sensor???

Date: 	Wed, 1 Oct 1997 00:46:40 +0000



Paul Turin wrote:

> 

> Interesting. When I tried disconnecting the O2 sensor on my '96, it ran

> like s**t. Stumbled badly.

> 

Paul,

Did you disconnect the battery for 12 or so hours to reset the systems

computer?  



>From what I understand, OBD-II requires the system to monitor the

catalytic converter as its performance degrades. The system has two

sensors. One before the cat (monitors pre-cat emmissions) and one after

(for post-cat emmisions).  All cats are not created equal, so the system

sets a baseline value of cat performance the first time the car is run

through a full warmup cycle.  It will return error codes when the cat's

efficiency drops to a certain percentage of the original value.  (Don't

remember the actual value - can't find the article.) 



So maybe you just need to disconnect the battery for long enough to

clear the base line values. I haven't looked at one of these sensors. 

They may be something like an airbag connection and run a low level

current throught the circuit to be check for tampering. Don't know.

Anyone know if I'm correct (or confused yet again)?



Steve Lewinski

- '96 base

- Poster boy for the OBD-II Impaired