oxygen sensor simulators???

I have an 01 impala LS with the 3800 series II. i have done some modding to the car, and recently did the exhaust. I had to have the cat cut out awhile ago, but never got a light for doing so. now when i cut off the muffler and glass packed it (sounds so sweet!!!) i have the O2 light goin off, and my motor is in safe/lag mode.

I've been told i need to install an oxygen sensor simulator??? anyone got any info on this? like since i have 2 oxygen sensors do i need to install 2 simulators, where to find one, another way i can do it? anything?


thank you.
Sincerely,
Impala Racer:evillol:

I've never heard of this device but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist . There's lots of things I don't know about ! I would try putting the phrase " oxygen sensor simulator " into the " Google " search and see what comes up ? In fact , I'm going to do that myself just out of curiosity ! I tried it and viola ..... up came many references . Go to www.o2sensorsimulator.com (http://www.o2sensorsimulator.com) and get the info ! Keep us informed in your findings and progress . Good luck !

that is very helpful if you don't know what one is and thank you for the information. but i am looking to buy one, the only one i have found so far is a unniversal on e-bay that is simply two resistors with 2 adjustment screws that you turn till the light stops coming on... not what im looking for.

i'm looking to buy one for my particular car, or another solution to my issue.

any thoughts hints or tips would be great!

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Impala Racer:evillol:

I have an aftermarket cat, and actually get the P0420 CEL all the time with no ill-effects.

Oddly you should have gotten a P0420 CEL as soon as your cat was removed, and thats why you use an 02 sensor for our cars.

FYI Simulators don't work for 2004+ cars for anyone else who checks this out.

https://www.zzperformance.com/grand_prix/products1.php?id=967&catid=107

Try www.autotube.net (http://www.autotube.net) !

Try www.autotube.net (http://www.autotube.net) !


that looks like just a spacer, idk if that will work, but for ten bucks I'll give it a shot. i was kinda looking for something that changes the voltages and what not, to make sure the car is getting the info that will satisfy the PCM. either way, i really appreciate it.

if anyone comes up with anything else lemme know I'll continue to check back!

www.allproducts.com/manufacture100/magnumtuning/product3.html (http://www.allproducts.com/manufacture100/magnumtuning/product3.html)

is it possible that your downstream sensor is getting plugged up from the cat not being in and ironicly is throwing a code now?

also a Simulator would have to "Simulate" a O2 sensor so i dont think your going to find much else than the adjustable ones. but ive also never looked for these either but this is just my $.02

that spacer trick wont work on impalas. you have two options: the zzp sim or another w-body specific one if you can find one, or have the code deleted from the pcm..
fwiw: my light comes and goes but my car runs just fine, no special modes or anything.

the zzp sim just gives a constant value thats within the range that the pcm will tolerate. its simply plug it into the o2 harnes from the pcm, and forget about it.

that spacer trick wont work on impalas. you have two options: the zzp sim or another w-body specific one if you can find one, or have the code deleted from the pcm..
fwiw: my light comes and goes but my car runs just fine, no special modes or anything.

the zzp sim just gives a constant value thats within the range that the pcm will tolerate. its simply plug it into the o2 harnes from the pcm, and forget about it.


Not to argue, but just out of curiosity... Why will the spacer not work???
I'm not even sure why it would work on any vehicle, other than bringing down the time it takes to heat up.


Thank you.
Sincerely,
Impala Racer:evillol:

Im not sure, but for what ever reason (this is with a High flow cat too!) It's not enough to satisfy the PCM. Many people have tried it on NAIOA and GPONA and other W-body clubs.

EDIT: I looked it up and I will correct my self. They WONT work for 04+ Impalas, But Theres a decent chance (some people it worked, some people the PCM still too picky) It will work. so for like 10$ it's worth a try. But it could still come on once in a blue moon for a few days.

yeah i ordered it last night, come out to be $13 total. no big deal weather it works or not. hoping it will. i'll make sure to post back and let everyone know how it goes.


thanks again.
Sincerely,
Impala Racer:evillol:

You should check out the site that my link Garage link goes to (Naioa) if you havent. (Mod's I couldn't PM him that, so i said it here. Please don't burn me at the stake for it)

Did any of this help you out? I seem to be having the same problem after I had a new cat welded on and 2 new o2 sensors installed

HeMi101, so if I decided to put in a ZZP downpipe (the one with the O2 bung) and a GMPP dual exhaust on my 2004 Impala 9C1 can I just plug the old O2 sensor into the bung on the downpipe?

HeMi101, so if I decided to put in a ZZP downpipe (the one with the O2 bung) and a GMPP dual exhaust on my 2004 Impala 9C1 can I just plug the old O2 sensor into the bung on the downpipe?

Yes'ir, Thats if you can get it out in one peice without ripped the threads to shit. :rofl: But you will STILL get a P4202 sooner or later. you'd have to get the code deleted, or Just live with it coming and going, which is What I'm doing till I do my exhaust.

I hope this informations helps anybody out, I purchased the o2 simulator from zzperformance.com (I have a 03 impala). The simulator seems to work, engine light code p0240 has not came back, but the only thing is that it doesnt seem to simulate the o2 sensor heater. Has anybody had this problem? or would anybody know of a way to maybe combine the heater on the o2 sensor with the simulator?

You should be able to, yes. The forward O2 sensor is the only one the PCM used to adjust fuel trims. The rear sensor (by the cat) is only used to measure whether the cat is working or not. It has nothing to do with engine performance. They are very sensitive, as Hemi said. Generic aftermarket cats can set the code off, but it shouldn't cause any problems, except that you will fail inspection if you have it in your state.

Would this setup work? Using the o2 sim to send the signal to the PCM and using the o2 sensor for the heater. I do not think the o2 sim simulates the heater unit as it keeps failing on the emission test. I believe if I use both together it should pass? :dunno: The pictures should explain it all.
If the pictures are to small I will repost using photobucket

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt101/gordon_Gjs/O2Model1.jpg



http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt101/gordon_Gjs/02SIM.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt101/gordon_Gjs/OXYGEN.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt101/gordon_Gjs/MANUAL.jpg

Yes'ir, Thats if you can get it out in one peice without ripped the threads to shit. :rofl: But you will STILL get a P4202 sooner or later. you'd have to get the code deleted, or Just live with it coming and going, which is What I'm doing till I do my exhaust.

Why would you keep getting the P4202 code if the O2 sensor is in place?

Why would you keep getting the P4202 code if the O2 sensor is in place?


because the PCM has a very tight Tolerance on the value it expects from the 02 sensor. So any other catalyic besides the OEM one is gonna set it off.

Just so you know, I have gone through 2 sims so far. I am unsure if I want to buy a 3rd at what-$40 now?:banghead:

Just so you know, I have gone through 2 sims so far. I am unsure if I want to buy a 3rd at what-$40 now?:banghead:

And good lucky finding one. They stopped making them now. :rofl:

If one of the anti fowlers is not enough you could try 2 stacked together if that works. It would keep it even more out of the exaust flow. You can buy them at autozone I think. They are the same ones they use for exessive oil burning on spark plugs. Spark plug anti fowlers.There are a bunch of good looking simulators on ebay that are adjustable and simulate the o2 sensors voltage output and its fluctionations. One of those should definitly fix the problem. They also have the built in simulator for the heated part.

If one of the anti fowlers is not enough you could try 2 stacked together if that works. It would keep it even more out of the exaust flow. You can buy them at autozone I think. They are the same ones they use for exessive oil burning on spark plugs. Spark plug anti fowlers.There are a bunch of good looking simulators on ebay that are adjustable and simulate the o2 sensors voltage output and its fluctionations. One of those should definitly fix the problem. They also have the built in simulator for the heated part.

Cheap enough , but that works for VERY VERY VERY few impalas. The PCM is VERY picky, so don't EXPECT that to work.