So Scott, you're saying to keep the O2 sensor connected to the sensor
and check it that way? I don't see why you can't just put probes in
the sensor half of the plug and do it that way.

Jim

On Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 3:53 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans
<scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
> the test for how well your 02 sensor is working takes but a minute or two..
> super easy to do.
> Just connect a digital voltmeter to the signal wire,  ( while leaving the 02
> signal wire still connected into the system...........)
> engine idling and warmed up.  You'd like to see swinging voltage from
> perhaps .4 volts to .8 volts......
> something like that.
> if it doesn't swing over a very large range, or swings pretty slowly, that's
> a lazy 02.
> If it sits at one voltage, it's dead.
> This simple check could/should be part of any regular checking or inspecting
> of the engine, its settings and tune up parts, and so forth.
> and I find that tune up parts barely, barely wear on waterboxers engines.
> Like they have to be pretty bad before they start affecting how it runs.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jack R." <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 12:27 PM
> Subject: Re: Question about temp II sensor and bad running
>
>
>> What a great exercise!!! We all felt your pain, and relief!
>>
>> Glad you tracked it down to an O2 Sensor.  It is BEST to replace, gas
>> mileage, motor running too rich or lean, etc.  Don't go too long without
>> it.
>>
>> Now, if I can remember this when my 02 Sensor fails!
>> Too bad we don't have "Check Engine" lights on our vans.
>>
>> Jack
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>> Jim Felder
>> Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 3:00 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: Question about temp II sensor and bad running
>>
>> And the loser is.... the oxygen sensor and the winners are those who
>> suggested that I remove it from the loop.
>>
>> I just went for a five minute test drive and the van drove great.
>>
>> Now, what's the downside of running without an O2 sensor? There must
>> be one. Mileage?
>>
>> I think I even have a good one somewhere. I usually replace them every
>> couple of years but I never knew why. I do now! The last one I took
>> out is probably good and I think I saved it. In the time it takes to
>> find one or buy a new one, I wanted to know if there is a danger in
>> driving with it disconnected.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>> On Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 1:46 PM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> OK, here's the news: I just went out and tried it again and it
>>> stumbled to a stall in about a minute.
>>>
>>> Then I disconnected the O2 sensor. It ran strongly for five minutes or
>>> so, longer than at any other time today. Then while it was running, I
>>> plugged it back in and it was dead in 30 seconds.
>>>
>>> I will try to repeat this again in a few minutes to confirm what I
>>> think just happened.
>>>
>>> Jim
>>>
>