Matt;
        I have never heard of the air sensor going bad. On the other
hand, I carry a spare TEMPII sensor with me because they fail so often.
One quick check is to compare resistances of the two sensors before the
vehicle has been run i.e. while both sensors are at the same temperature.
The resistance curves are the same for both. The easiest way to check the
resistances is at the ECU plug.
        I think the permanent potentiometer is a bad idea. If you
accidentally run the engine too lean significant damage could occur.
        I have substituted (temporarily) a resistor for the TEMPII sensor
for trouble shooting purposes. That did prove helpful.

Good Luck and Drive Safely
Ken Lewis
86 Crewcab, 60 356 T-5
http://Neksiwel.20m.com/

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