- Does my October 1993 WRX have the 3-wire or 4-wire lambda sensor.

- Is it the Zirconia narrow-band type with 18mm spark-plug type threading?

- Where's the sensor screwed into - is it on the driver's side header near the oil filter, or in the downpipe?

Appreciate any answers, as I'm looking to buy the cheaper Bosch alternative from Just Lambda, and need to know this info.

Many thanks, John.

 

it has a 3 wire sensor if its same as mine and its on the headers (drivers side) iv just replaced mine with a subaru original one at the cost of £168

 

Cheers, you've confirmed what I've gleaned so far.

I don't mean to p**s you off on purpose, but there's a brand new one currently on eBay at the mo for £26 inc.P&P! (althogh it doesn't come with the connector - you would have had to cut off the original connector and solder it to the bare wires of the new sensor).

Also, the Bosch replacement is £45 delivered from Just Lambda.

Sorreee...

 

i did have a bosh one but had a blow at the head and that buggered it up, i was told that universal sensors arnt as good as subaru ones hense the price. it failed the mot but now all good

 

Ah that's interesting and important news!

So, it's best to treat these items like oil filters - only splash out on, and fit, OEM ones, or you could be asking for trouble, right?...

By the way, the reason I want to buy one, is because my car too failed on the MOT - too high CO on the 2 fast idle tests. Can you tell me what yours failed on?

 

i think thats what mine failed on too but as soon as i fixed the blow and changed the sensor it sailed through.

 

My 93 WRX has just failed the MOT on emissions too.
Are the Lambda sensors for the early classics the same on U.K. and import models?.

 

The early cars use a 3 wire Zirconia sensor. We've often fitted the universal replacements and we haven't had a failure yet. The black wire of the uni sensor goes to the white on the multi plug, the other two can go either way, being the heater wires. The Subaru sensor comes with the multi plug, but not all of my customers want to spend that much!

 

Cheers.

I know that you can get universal ones from Gendan for £30.95 where you have to solder or crimp the 3 wires to the existing recycled plug connector, but I'd be quite happy to spend a bit more for a direct-fit replacement.

Would this £58.90 one be the right one with the correct connector for my car (1993 WRX)?...


3-wire Zirconia Sensor for some Subaru engines :: Gendan Automotive Products

 

Looks about right!

 

Good, good

 

Actually, if you click on compatable cars in that link, it looks like it's listed for U.K models.
If yours is an import, I think the lead's gonna be too short (200mm overall length, whereas the imports are more like 2ft).
I work at a motor factor and I ordered in a U.K one to see if it was compatable with my import. That's how I found out about the lead length difference.

 

Can I just say, Subaru lambda's are a RIP OFF.

They're completely unncecessary!

I've just replaced the sensor on MY95 Import. The sensor is in the headers on mine.

Rang Suabru who wanted £168 + VAT.

Rang a local dealer, a 'Direct Fit' was £80 - so ordered that.

It turned up, and turned out to be a UK spec one. The wires were about 8 inches long where as my original sensor the wires were about 2ft long.

Swapped it for a Bosch Universal (LS02) 3-wire sensor and a £30 refund.


Fitted this on friday, in the freezing hailstone. I'm going to write a guide soon. It was simple and straight forward enough. The universal sensor comes with a connector block that a 3 year old could use!

My car now drives like a different car. So smooth, compared to the old lumpy power delivery.

Universal every time

 

And by the way on MY95 it was a 22mm spanner!

 

Thanks everyone.

sjwdavies, so are you saying that the Bosch LS02 is the only one whose wires are long enough for a JDM car? Are you also saying it comes terminated in the correct connecting block, so is, therefore a direct-fit item?

If you could please clarify, then that'd be great...

Thanks, John.

EDIT: I'm now confused, as I've been lead to believe the correct thread for a '93 WRX is 18mm, not 22mm(?) Does anyone know for sure what the correct sized thread is for a 93 WRX's OEM exhaust header's lambda hole.

 

Let me make this absolutely simple.

My car is a 95 Import WRX and the lambda sensor is in the headers. The thread for this is 22mm. This is definitely true for a MY95 Import WRX with the sensor in the headers. The only way your going to guarantee the size of the thread is to get on your knees and check it yourself with a spanner!

No I am not saying that the Bosch UNIVERSAL sensor has wires that are long enough. If you read up on universal sensors, you’ll find that they are designed to mate to the existing wiring and hence use the connector from the original sensor. You basically lay the sensors on the floor next to each other and cut the original sensor where the universal sensor wires end. SO…. You have the universal sensor (with bare wires on the end) AND the OE plug from the old sensor (With bare wires on the end).

You then use the connector block supplied with the universal sensor to join the wires.

Below shows the new sensor and the OE plug being joined using the connector block.

 

I totally understand now! I got 'thrown' when you mentioned "connector block" - I assumed that to be the actual plug connector that would be at the other end to the sensor . But it's just that - a connector block .

Yes. I'm gonna have to physically check for the thread diameter...

Thanks a lot.

 

I'm positive it'll be the same, a 22mm spanner.

Here's a tip, to remove the sensor without removing the heat shield, unplug the sensor under the bonnet and unclip it from about 5 cable clips. Then, using a swan neck spanner, feed the OE plug through the spanner and down the wires until it fits over the Lambda sensor.

 

Ah yes, very handy - thanks.

Where does the electrical plug end of the sensor connect to, and what is it? Is it just a socket that forms part of the loom that runs to the ECU? Where is it roughly located, or is it easy to see, anyhow?

Also, re connections?...

New black < - > old white [sensor wire]
New white (either) < - > old black [heater wire -ve]
New white (either) < - > old red [heater wire +ve]

Am I barking up the right tree?

 

That wiring is exactly how I did it.

As for the wiring plug, follow the wires that come out of the Lambda that's plugged in

If you need pictures let me know.

 

If you don't mind, pictures would help a lot...

Appreciated, John

 

sorry, i've not had time.

i'll upload them when i get chance.

 

No worriies mate. Just do it only if you have a spare moment. I appreciate all your good info, anyhow

Many thanks, John

 

Ta daa.....






Closer up...

 

Excellent. Me being the eternal pessimist, thought that the plug would be buried way down in the most inaccessible depths of the engine bay ...

Thanks again, you are d'man


EDIT: Wish my WRX had ABS like yours. Damn!

 

It's reatively easy, just fiddly. I tell you what is a pain in the *** tho, all the little cable ties on the OE wiring - there's about 5 you have to snip away.

I managed to change my sensor without even jacking the car up.

Had to keep nipping back inside though, let the feelings return to my fingers!

Touche - I wish my car had a Polar Performance chip like yours Swapsies?

 

Cheers for the advice

Blimey, retro fitting ABS is probably the proverbial nightmare - quite apart from getting hold of the components and the cost, etc.!?!

You have a PM ...