o2 sensor mod
 

I was wondering if anyone knew of a way to convert our 4 wire o2 into a 2 wire o2. On my car the o2 is still dealer only and the cost is about $370.00 . I have 1999 1.6 LX. Is it correct that the o2 itself is not vehichle specific, but that the connector is? I was told that i could use any 4 wire o2, but id have to know which wire is for what. 2 blacks , 1 white , 1 blue. any advise?.......Kaleb

You can use any 4-wire O2 as long as you know what wires go where. You don't have to pay the dealer's asking price, they're usually way too expensive anyway. It would be helpful if you have a wiring diagram, but you can figure it out by switching the wires around until the check engine light goes off. Why would your O2 sensor need to be replaced so soon?

wreckin' ECUs
 

If that's a totally passive sensor, and the ECU's just sampling it's resistance or something similar, just moving wires around until the check-eng lite goes away might work. If it's an active sensor, and the ECU supplies current to the sensor, then moving wires around until the check-eng lite goes away might short out the ECU. Reckon that'd cost more than a Mazda O2 sensor by lots.

-Don Cab

Well, first off I would like to thank you for the replies. Next, does any one happen to know if the sensor is passive or active? Another thing that I have found, is that when I get a CEL it does not go off if you happen to correct the problem. The CEL has to be cleared by disconnecting the cable or otherwise by a technician w/ the diagnostic equip. I am not quite sure why the sensor is defective so early on. I guess the nitrous could have played a part in it. But , for all the more sulfer additive that nitrous contains I find it hard to believe. I know there has to be a way to socalled "mod the sensor" with out screwing stuff up. Ill keep researching.......Kaleb

son of a crap I wish I had a scanner cuz the shop manual i've got has all the electrical diagrams and everything.

Fatlanky, you can go to any auto parts store and pick one up. They are like 15 bux. Good investment and shows you how to tear down and rebuild almost every part of the car.

as far as i know there are only 4 different types of o2 sensors. (the number of wires it has) the sensor creates a small voltage according to the a/f mix. i have never heard of an "active" or "passive" o2 sensor, i believe that they are all "active". try to get your hands on a NTK o2 sensor, it is NGK's o2 sensor division, and OEM supplier to many car compaines. i don't know if mazdas are the same, but on a toyota the NTK's wiring colors are the same as the original sensor so to install the universal sensor you just match the colors. i believe that the NTK sensor is better quality then Bosch's aftermarket sensors.

Does anyone happen to have the shop manuals part number? I have gone to Pep boys, O riellys, Autozone etc... they all tell me that there is no shop manual available yet. So, do I have to use the Mazda HIGH priced sensor, or is there an alternative? Im a little slow. (work with me)...........Kaleb........(thanks alot!!)

All O2 sensors send the same voltage or type of signal the differnce is the connector and the number of wires. The Protege has a 18mm standard bore O2 bung. Flyin Miata sells a universal 4 wire O2 sensor for 65 bucks I just ordered two of them for my car. To find which wires are your 2 grounds, heater and signal wire use a Voltmeter. But I am fairly sure that the blue is the signal the 2 blacks are your grounds and the white is the heater. Just get a universal one and wire it into your connector it should work fine. As for a shop manual the only one is the Mazda factory manual.

unles you want to get the haynes knock off but it covers the 1990-2000 protege. If you really want some good reading for the crapper *me slides playboys over* then get the $200 official shop manual. like someone told me in another thread, the Haynes one is the offical manual's cliff notes.

Thanks Craig. I did find a Haynes knock off today. It does have some useful info, but seems a bit vauge. Do you have the ordering info for the universal o2 sensors? Thanks guys(gals) been a big help....Kaleb

I believe this will help you the most for finding them

http://www.flyinmiata.com/store/prod...em=12&mitem=13