So I had this O2 sensor that I picked up a few years ago but never installed since the old one didn't want to come out easily.  It is one of the supposed universal (Bosch) ones that you splice into the original wire harness.  I wanted to replace the sensor just so I basically knew the age of the sensor.  I had no real symptoms other than percieved poor gas mileage (never really quantified since I wouldn't fill tank due to bad grommets, now repaired) and and idle that I thought had maybe been better in previous years.

 

I got the old sensor out and replaced it this morning, went to go to grocery store and the van would just bog down, I pulled off and disconnected teh sensor and viola things were hunky dory, just like before.

 

Is it possible to get a new sensor that is bad?  Could I have gotten the wrong sensor (I threw box away so I don't even know number anymore), could a sensor go bad just sitting in a basement?

 

I am leaving for a 1200 mile trip in a few days, should I roll w/o sensor, scramble and find a new sensor with harness, or get another universal?  Am I missing a clue for something else here?

 

Ryan
                                          
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