hi,
there is no way to 'jumper' the oxygen sensor connector that will do any
good.
If you wanted to simulate an oxygen sensor signal to the ecu, I suppose you
could with an electronic circuit ...( and there is such a thing as an oxygen
sensor simulator ..those are used to trick an OBD-II Subaru ecu into
thinking there is an oxygen sensor downstream of the cat ...
not useful for your situation I don't think. )

it can run OK with no O2 input ...
might run a little rich, or burn more fuel, but the default mode is decent
almost.

it's easy for exhaust shops to weld in a new 02 sensor bung.   Not a big
deal to any real exhaust shop.

Lack of  02 isn't why your idle may be really bad, I wouldn't say.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "A J" <flavanagon@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2010 3:55 PM
Subject: O2 sensor necessary or jumper the wires on 85 GL 1.9

>I just picked up an 85 GL and there are several things wrong/bad about
> it. The A/C dryer has a leak - no big deal. The power steering hose to
> the rack has a leak about midpoint to the rack, and the exhaust is
> mostly garbage and that is my primary concern. Because the bucks are
> tight I am trying to get by for the time being.
> I assume the with the ox sensor being gone entirely  is most of the
> problem for the really bad idle and running rich and I was wondering
> if it is possible to just jumper the wiring at the sensor connection
> point to get it running better while I sort out the exhaust and other
> items?
> I assume that since the wires are not connected to any sensor that the
> circuit is open and sending a fault reading to the ECU and the 1.9 is
> running in default mode. If I temporarily jumper the wire so it would
> seem connected to a sensor would the ECU the assume the o2 is
> functioning properly and resume its normal running mode.
> I believe I will need to have some welding done on the exhaust because
> it looks like the sensor threads are stripped and I dont think I can
> simply install a sensor without repairing the pipe and mount. I
> welcome any comments and opinions on the matter.
>
> Thanks.
>
> A J
> 87 GL
> 85 GL
> Ridge Manor, Fl