97 escort wont pass deq (Unready)

[larganation]

I have a 1997 Ford Escort that im trying to get to pass DEQ. the emissions and smoke test all pass. Whats holding me back is I have 3 unreadys and they only allow 2. The catalyst is unready, the o2 sensor is unready and the o2 heater is unready. i have driven well over 1500 miles since the brain was rebooted. I dont have a lot of money to spend on this car and i dont really want to take it to a mechanic if this is some thing i can fix on my own. I'm wondering if i replace the o2 sensor, will it fix my problem? or am i fighting a losing battle? Please help.

[denisond3]

I dont know anything about the Oregon emissions tests, but if the Oxygen Sensor heater isnt doing its job, it likely to fail an emissions test. I would check to see if the heater voltage is present - and if it isnt, to see that it does get to the Oxy. Sensor. If the voltage is getting to the Sensor, then a new sensor would be the next think I would fix.

If your car has well over 150k miles on it, and has had problems with running too rich - that could have cause the catalytic converter to overheat; and the ceramic matric might have cracked. But due to the expense of a new cat converter, I would try the Oxygen Sensor fix first.

Good Luck...

[12Ounce]

The electrical harness that feeds the injectors, thottle pos sensor, and several other sensors ... is just made too short on some of the "runs", and some of the conductors get frayed and rub together. I would suggest removing this harness and inspecting all connectors. Use clear RTV to repair worn insulation. By splicing (soldering) in extensions, extend all conductors that are just too short.