New O2 sensor causes car to shut off?

[Evilsmith]

The E30 needed a new O2 sensor so I grabbed a spare one I had for the E46. The O2 has about 500 miles on it, I purchased it as a temp O2 until I could afford new OEM ones (Its one of the kind that you have to splice into the original wiring, has a black box that holds the wires). I put the new O2 in the goddamn vert, and the thing was driving like a dream right up until it immediately shut off. Check Engine code 1221, car refused to start. The second I disconnected the O2 it started right up. Anyone have any ideas as to why the O2 would be leaning the car out to the point of shutting off?

FML

[nando]

how about it's for an E46? Did you check to see if the pinout was compatible? is it even the same type of sensor (narrowband)?

[Evilsmith]

how about it's for an E46? Did you check to see if the pinout was compatible? is it even the same type of sensor (narrowband)?

Those are very valid questions. I cant say that im 100% certain that its a narrowband O2, I was going off of the assumption that both of them essentially just relayed a standard signal to the ECU, and the ECU interpreted it accordingly. I do know as far as pinouts go, they had the exact same wires: 2 white, a grey, and a black.

EDIT: Everything I am reading on the internet is saying that the E46 O2 sensors are narrowband. I was 50% sure they were indeed narrowband, and the internet is always true, so im guessing they are in fact both narrowband O2's

[nando]

it is likely that it's a narrowband, but wire colors don't mean anything if they aren't hooked to the same pins. I did find out that E36 O2 sensors use the same pinout as the late E30 though.

[Evilsmith]

it is likely that it's a narrowband, but wire colors don't mean anything if they aren't hooked to the same pins. I did find out that E36 O2 sensors use the same pinout as the late E30 though.

true, I didnt think about that. However, if the pinouts were incorrect, wouldnt I most likely know either immediately or as soon as the 1221 error showed up again? I dunno, I just kinda figured if it wasnt going to work then the car would run as it would without an O2, not go crazy after 10 miles and cease altogether.

[nando]

not if it's sending voltage to the wrong pin, or grounding it.

large changes in O2 feedback aren't instantaneous. it only makes small changes in real time, but if there are big differences it will adjust the EGO feedback constant over longer periods of time.

try unplugging the battery for 5 minutes, then restart the car. that resets the ECU - leave the O2 sensor connected and see if it does it again.

[Evilsmith]

Ok I disconnected the battery for 5 minutes, then rconnected and drove it. When the car was cold, everything was fine. However, once the car got warmed up, things started getting strange.

When it was warm, I gave it about 75% acceleration. At about 2500 RPM, the engine lost power altogether, but it didnt die. Not sure how thats even possible, as the engine kicked back to life at about 700PRM. I tried it again, and it lost power at 2500 RPM again. However, this time instead of responding at 700RPM, it dieseled and died. I unplugged the O2 sensor and left it unplugged, car started and drove fine

[jlevie]

A bad or even a mission O2 sensor won't cause the car to cut out like that. Though it certainly could cause a Lambda fault (1221). I think something else besides the wrong sensor is in play. The first action should be to ditch the ersatz sensor and install the correct. Then see what problems are present.

[felix]

If you're shorting out the heater circuit or somehow feeding 12v into the ECU's sensor input I can well imagine it will shut down. Double check your wiring. Isn't the E46 a 4 wire sensor and the E30 a 3 wire?

[Evilsmith]

If you're shorting out the heater circuit or somehow feeding 12v into the ECU's sensor input I can well imagine it will shut down. Double check your wiring. Isn't the E46 a 4 wire sensor and the E30 a 3 wire?

My 325i is a 4-wire. I think the "e" might be 3-wire. Either way I checked the wiring, everything seems to be legit. Im going to see if I can borrow someones O2 sensor to test it.

[Evilsmith]

I hate this car.

Got spark plug wires, intake boot, ICV, and ECU. Installed them, no change

Car runs fine when cold, second it gets warm all hell breaks loose. Car starts chugging and sputtering, eventually it chugs itself out. Backfired a couple times when Steveo gave it gas. Seems to be happening now with or without O2 plugged in. Im really running low on parts to change out here, almost everything under the hood is brand new. Anyone have any ideas they would like to throw out?

[ForcedFirebird]

e has a 2 wire o2.

I haven't had an o2 sensor in my car for months haha (well have a WB hooked up in stock location). I tune the ECU for what I want and leave the stocker unhooked.

Have you tested the coolant temp sensor?

[Evilsmith]

Yea there was a problem a month ago with the CTS. Its brand new