check engine light needs to come on to run good

I have a 91 accord ex and code 1( oxygen content) comes up at the ecu. I replaced the o2 sensor with a new bosch sensor and the light came back on after 20 min of driving but over 55mph. I knew the sensor runs in loop mode until the sensor(the car) gets warm and hot but my problem is that the car has hesitation and sputters like it is backfiring until the light comes on which I can't understand. I know the sensor changes the air/fuel mixture and when the sensor comes on the ecu compensates and puts out a default ratio. It's like I need the check engine light to come on so the car can drive without any spuddering. Any thoughts on that or solutions?

p.s. I know that one might say just drive with the sensor disconnected but that will keep the light on but the mileage I get would go down drastically.

After you changed the O2 sensor, the Check Engine light comes on. What is the code"? Did you reset the ECU after you changed the sensor?

code #1 is oxygen sensor #1...you sure you changed the right one? Also did you reset the ECU after you changed it?

http://www.hondapitstop.com/accord/technotes1/engine/reset_codes/reset_codes.html

Also, possibly check your plugs.

91 has only 1 O2 sensor I think?

Stumble and backfiring are usually a result of an overly lean condition. For some reason, your O2 circuit is making the ECM believe that the mixture is too rich, and it is leaning it out. When the values go out of range, it sets a code and operates in open loop with substituted values including mixture. Make sure if it is a two wire sensor that there is no way it could have been plugged in backwards. See if the wire runs anywhere anything hot, and that it isn't sagging and contacting something once the motor warms up. Make sure there is nothing blocking your intake air path (I found a shop rag in an airbox on one acting like that once) and make sure there is no damage to the wiring, and that the engine ground wires are intact. Also any coolant in the exhaust will ruin an O2 sensor very fast. You're not loosing any, are you?

My car is running lean b/c when I pull out my plugs they are white and I changed them w/ new ngk plugs and I see they are white. I am not losing antifreeze--my head gasket is good. I reset the codes dozens of times and it keeps popping up. It is a four wire sensor and it can only plug one way b/c if you try to plug it backwards it does not snap. I appreciate your insight but I am still stump. I was told that my fuel pump can be weak (not outputing enough fuel but I am not sure. I changed my fuel filter and ran injector cleaner months ago. All injectors checked ok w/o any misfiring.

almost anything that could be changed has on my car since I had a junked 90 accord to use for parts. Since I got the car it would sputter until the check engine light came on with code 1. I changed the distributor, computers, all manifold sensors, resister box, main pump relay etc., I cleaned out the egr ports myself and changed the egr valve. All of these things helped for like a day but problem returned shortly after. Complete tune up was also done with cap, rotor, wires, plugs, air intake, cleaned throttle body as well. Car starts up everytime w/ no problem and can run great but the check engine has to light up. Do you think it can be an electrical problem with the o2 sensor, pump, fuel pressure.

check ur fuel thank cover thats what happened to my car good luck