Hi,

I have a '94 UK spec Impreza Turbo. It has just failed it's emissions test for the MOT with high CO levels. The garage reckon that it is 'probably' the Lambda sensor but want £200 to replace it.

Can I just use a Universal 3-wire zirconia sensor, or do I have to buy the Subaru part? Does anybody know the Bosch model number for the Subaru standard sensor so I can get it cheaper elsewhere?

Finally, is it a reasonable assumption that it is the Lambda sensor or should I be looking at other things first?

Cheers,

Oli.

 

Yes, yes, no, yes. You can get sensors for under £50 made by NTK which is a reputable brand, but the wiring harness is incompatible. I had considerable difficulty getting the Subaru plug wires to take the solder.

 

Thanks John. I'll probably go for the NTK one then.

In another post somebody mentioned that you could test the lambda sensor from the 'blue block'. Do you know where this connector is? (I just wanted to avoid stripping wires at the sensor end)

Cheers,

Oli.

 

I've been through all this palava! You can do a search for a thread named "universal lambda" which I started when I wrecked the lambda trying to get it off the downpipe.

In the end, although you can get a universal 3 or 4 wire zirconia type to work they do, however, frazzle out rather quickly. I was warned of this but for 15 quid I was determined to give it a go. The universal job I used (NTK if I remember correctly) lasted for a few weeks before dying. Ended up just getting one from a scrappy (not a very old car).