replaced 02 sensor - drivability improves - oh YEAH!

[Huw Powell]

> You wrote  "Anyhoo.... I did the cut and paste, spliced my old connector
> onto the new
> sensor - soldered and heat shrink tubed. "....SNIP...
>
> Regardless of your choice of O2 sensors, soldering, especially on sensitive
> circuits like this, is flat out a bad idea.  VAG thinks so, Porsche thinks
> so, Bosch thinks so, independent magazines have tested it, and we've
> discussed it several times here on the list.  Soldering produces a degraded
> connection, hampers current flow, produces a weak point in the wiring, and
> often results on unwanted corrosion.  The wires come with a crimp connector
> (at least the better ones do) and shrink tubing.  That's how you're supposed
> to make the connections.  John

We may have discussed it at length, but there was never a true consensus.

Soldering does not produce a "degraded" connection.  Its main
disadvantage is a tendency to create a longer "stiff section" than a
simple crimped butt splice.

It's main advantage is that, done properly, you *know* that your
conductors are not going to develop corrosion (and resisitance) between
them.

Either method, done properly and appropriately heat-shrink-tubed, is
going to work well for a long time, though.

Just don't crudely twist the wires together and wrap them in electrical
tape...

--
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/