Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

o2 sensor switching question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 19, 2015 | 12:16 PM
  #1  
Krisverde's Avatar
Krisverde
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 524
Likes: 1
From: Mesa, AZ
o2 sensor switching question

On my 89 F150 w/5.8 swap.

Ok So I installed a new o2 sensor in the custom Y pipe that was made for my truck. One thing I noticed is at Idle the o2 sensor is reading but when you rev it up it stops reading...or nowhere near the .1-1.0 v I am currently stumped. Do you guys have Ideas on what I should check? I have checked TPS and that is at .944 closed and 4.54v open.


 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2015 | 01:55 PM
  #2  
timbersteel's Avatar
timbersteel
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,698
Likes: 47
From: Mexico, Missouri
The O2 sensor may momentarily stay rich momentarily when revving and low to no vacuum. Then stay lean when hard declaration is present and higher vacuum. Usually when vacuum falls below 4-5", there isn't enough vacuum for the FPR, this aids in WOT enrichment, along with longer injector pulse. Snapping the throttle has the same affect.

Edit: I forgot that you may not show a rich condition when just revving the engine as there is no load on the engine and engine vacuum would only increase. You may just need to drive it with the meter hooked up and see if the condition changes with load.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2015 | 02:34 PM
  #3  
Eddiec1564's Avatar
Eddiec1564
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,935
Likes: 34
From: Arcadia, Fla
Also make sure the engine is fully warmed up and in close loop to get a proper reading from a O2 sensor.

At idle/goosing engine, most engines are in open loop, while cruising you will be in close loop and will see the voltage swing back and forth.

A good O2 sensor will cycle rich-lean-rich..... in just under a second or two while cruising in close loop(depends on ECU calabration).
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2015 | 05:43 PM
  #4  
Conanski's Avatar
Conanski
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
You really need an oscilloscope to measure an O2, a DMM display just isn't fast enough to keep up with the switching and some DMMs will corrupt the sensor output when they are connected so you won't get a reading that means anything.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 10:40 AM
  #5  
Krisverde's Avatar
Krisverde
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 524
Likes: 1
From: Mesa, AZ
Originally Posted by timbersteel
The O2 sensor may momentarily stay rich momentarily when revving and low to no vacuum. Then stay lean when hard declaration is present and higher vacuum. Usually when vacuum falls below 4-5", there isn't enough vacuum for the FPR, this aids in WOT enrichment, along with longer injector pulse. Snapping the throttle has the same affect.

Edit: I forgot that you may not show a rich condition when just revving the engine as there is no load on the engine and engine vacuum would only increase. You may just need to drive it with the meter hooked up and see if the condition changes with load.
Originally Posted by Eddiec1564
Also make sure the engine is fully warmed up and in close loop to get a proper reading from a O2 sensor.

At idle/goosing engine, most engines are in open loop, while cruising you will be in close loop and will see the voltage swing back and forth.

A good O2 sensor will cycle rich-lean-rich..... in just under a second or two while cruising in close loop(depends on ECU calabration).
Originally Posted by Conanski
You really need an oscilloscope to measure an O2, a DMM display just isn't fast enough to keep up with the switching and some DMMs will corrupt the sensor output when they are connected so you won't get a reading that means anything.

This is all good info thanks guys!


Also some more info real quick
I had a code 41 in koer. I just got the exhaust done on this truck. Was having a weird part throttle issue, it felt "heavy" if that makes any sense but sometimes it would clear up. The old one was not getting any reading and I believe that was my fault as I was running it with open headers pretty close to the collector and I THINK the cold air might have killed it. When the exhaust was built I had an o2 bung placed where both pipes join. I didn't think it would be an issue placing it there as it is a heated o2. I can get a pic of the location in a bit.

I am running longtube headers from pacesetter and had a custom 2.5 y pipe for the truck.

 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 11:30 AM
  #6  
Conanski's Avatar
Conanski
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
The O2 should be as close to the engine as possible and it doesn't matter if it only "sees" one side of the motor, so I'd suggest you install it in the passenger side header collector. Nice work on the exhaust.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 01:32 PM
  #7  
Krisverde's Avatar
Krisverde
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 524
Likes: 1
From: Mesa, AZ
What's weird about that is when I moved the o2 to the y pipe the truck run much better like it actually pulled through the power band instead of cutting fuel at 4000rpm. It was really weird man. I can try the header again too and see how it does. Either way I am sure the computer still has some learning to do as I have only put 50 miles on the truck since the exhaust. Also in the near future I am ditching EEC and going with Microsquirt.


Thanks. The guy that built it for me does a really good job on his exhausts.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 02:12 PM
  #8  
Conanski's Avatar
Conanski
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
The open headers were the problem before, you really can't have any fresh air getting to the O2 sensor.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 04:42 PM
  #9  
Krisverde's Avatar
Krisverde
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 524
Likes: 1
From: Mesa, AZ
Originally Posted by Conanski
The open headers were the problem before, you really can't have any fresh air getting to the O2 sensor.
Word. But I was having an issue even with the exhaust on. Either me replacing the o2 or moving it fixed the weird fuel cut issue. I dont know for sure though. But yes open headers caused alot of weird stuff for me. Now I am just working down the list to fix the bugs.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 04:59 PM
  #10  
Eddiec1564's Avatar
Eddiec1564
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,935
Likes: 34
From: Arcadia, Fla
Originally Posted by Conanski
You really need an oscilloscope to measure an O2, a DMM display just isn't fast enough to keep up with the switching and some DMMs will corrupt the sensor output when they are connected so you won't get a reading that means anything.
2X on the DMM's, too slow to fully capture the switch over of the O2 sensor.

The next best thing to the oscilloscope is the analog voltage meter. Set it to the 1.5V range and it works really good. Must be a good quality analog meter as to not load down the O2 sensor voltage. The "cheap" AAA and AA battery testers are not good for that, they load down the O2 sensor.

Here's a excellent A/F meter you can build:
DIY Air / Fuel Ratio Meter
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 05:02 PM
  #11  
Krisverde's Avatar
Krisverde
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 524
Likes: 1
From: Mesa, AZ
See I didn't know that before...BUT NOW I do lol. So I do appreciate it. Also looking around it looks like code 41 in KOER is system lean. While 41 in CM is o2 not switching or detected.


I also plan on installing a wideband soon and hooking the narrowband signal up to EEC and using that instead of just a regular narrowband.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
johare
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
15
Feb 10, 2025 08:52 AM
advocate
1997 - 2003 F150
8
Oct 16, 2007 10:41 AM
nastruk95
General Automotive Discussion
5
Apr 27, 2004 07:32 PM
bobs 93 X
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
13
Sep 27, 2003 10:18 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:49 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE