Lambda sensors - how many broken?

Lambda sensors - how many broken?

Author
Discussion

tjasper

Original Poster:

587 posts

290 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2002
quotequote all
All,

Having just recently got a Griff 500, I've found that one of the lambda sensors is broken - hence a failed MoT. My car is a 1994 L reg 500 and has only done 14600 miles from new.

In the history file, I found an invoice for two new sensors 8000 miles ago. As someone who's used to lambda sensors lasting 100,000+ miles, this seems a bit poor. Am I alone in having problems with them? Your experiences?

I know, too, that these sensors are unique to the Lucas/Sagem system fitted to these and Range Rover Classics etc because the ECU won't work with 'normal' types.

How would other people feel if there was a different system available which used 'normal' sensors (including the need to have different bosses welded into the exhaust)?

YellowShed aka Trevor Jasper

shpub

8,507 posts

279 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2002
quotequote all
Sound like spending several hundreds to save tens.

Lambda sensor failure is not uncommon (they don't like the heat and vibration) but it is not an epidemic so it all depends on the costs involved and the risk of going away from the standard set up and parts.

Steve

tjasper

Original Poster:

587 posts

290 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2002
quotequote all
So far, Ib've been quoted £144 from TVR Power and £157 from a local LandRover dealer. I don't fancy spending that kind of money every year just to get through the MoT and the standard Ford ones which last cost a fraction of that money.

T

budd

407 posts

275 months

Friday 26th April 2002
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Is the sensor broken ( ie end missing or damaged) or as it just failed,I had a problem when the pre cat became loose in the header and knocked the end off the sensor.If the sensor is physically broken it could be expensive to fit a new one before finding out what broke the old one.Got mine from lucas around £140.

tjasper

Original Poster:

587 posts

290 months

Monday 29th April 2002
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The sensor was not working on one bank - and yes it had come loose. However, I don't think it sustained serious damage. Will check though. I have managed to locate a replacement but they still seem a little fragile. I have received some information from a source at LandRover that these sensors DO indeed have fragile heater circuits in particular and could possibly suffer if the battery flattens leaving the alternator over-charging = popped lambda sensor.....

What better excuse does one need to keep using the car to keep the battery in tip-top condition!!

shpub

8,507 posts

279 months

Monday 29th April 2002
quotequote all
quote:


What better excuse does one need to keep using the car to keep the battery in tip-top condition!!


How about I can start the car with duff lambdas... I can't with a duff battery...

Steve