Sorry I started another wideband thread. I'm just sick of my Innovate wideband and all the other people out there and there problems with this kit. I paid $500 bucks for this (included labor) and maybe worked a week and a half. Then changed out another sensor and got only two weeks out of it.

It always starts out the same. It works, then after a while it doesn't on cold start ups. I then run to the store, in which it warms up then. Turn car off. Turn back on and it's all good. After a few more days, same as above but when starts to read, it only reads at ideal 4.5-5.5 and at WOT is 3.5. Which we all know that can't be right.

Anyway what could cause this? I have a TN kit. Could it be the extra heat due to the single exhaust? I don't know. Just throwing it out there. Two sensors in under 3000 miles. And the company doesn't care to talk to me about this. Always some lame excuse. Then it's about $75 for another sensor. I'd rather pay $50 every month and put it on the dyno to confirm A/F ratio. Sorry so long, just had to complain a little and get it off my chest. Somebody please stand up.

 

Uhhh nope.... this really has nothing to do with the turbo kit.

Where do you have the sensor tapped into the exhaust stream? Are you running extremely rich?

I personally think you've had bad luck with the sensors or got them from a faulty batch... I don't know. I'm running the AEM UEGO which uses a bosch sensor and it's lasted almost 15,000 miles with no issues.

 

My Innovate has about 25K on it and still good. I have the Turbonetics also. Make sure the sensors are not being man handled. It seems silly that something that sits in the exhaust stream can be so delicate, but they really are. I nice drop on the floor can mess up any o2 sensor pretty easily.

Dave

 

It's odd you are having these issues, myself and many others have been using the Innovate products for a long time with out problems. So you have gone threw 2 sensors now in a month and you are using the XD-16 to display the reading correct?
Where is the sensor mounted?
How close is it to the turbo?

I'll try to help as much as I can.

-George
GT Motorsports

 

Hmmmm . . .yeah, there's gotta be something else contributing to these failures. Besides myself, I know a couple of other people that also use the Innovate AFR and never had a problem.

 

maybe too close to the turbocharger?

 

It's located about half way down the downpipe (#3) the one that came with the kit. The one without the cats. About where the driveshaft starts. So it's downstream away from the turbo. And I'm using th XD-16.

The car runs perfect A/F ratio as it always has. And the sensors have not been mishandled or dropped. Sharif changed out the fist one for free, but I think he's shot in the dark about what could be going on. It's just odd. It would be nice if it was a faulty batch.

 

Just thought I state that like in the past and today. I did a free air calibration and still the same.

 

i get some wierd reading from my UTEC Tuner sometimes too.....then, one day...it is back to normal.

but my readings are like 12:1 at idle and such....

 

well if you leave the key in the on position it will burn the sensor out. ie: washing the car with the key on and blasting your music. Its a heated sensor so when you leave it on it will burn out.

 

This is not true at all. It is supposed to be hot...that's how it works. It's hot reagdless of whether the car is on, what the EGTs are etc...it's core is kept at a constant high temperature.

 

I am not sure why the sensors keep burning out. These Bosch sensors are the OEM units from Audi and VW, so you can go to your nearest dealer and get for $40-50 (just an FYI). I have dual bank Innovate setup for over 30,000 miles, and have yet to replace the sensor (i did once, after I dropped it while working on the exhaust).

Second, these controllers (LC-1) are OEM quality controllers and their installation must be followed to the T. Specifically, I am talkign about grounding. The sensor heater ground must be at a different grounding point then the rest of the grounds (system ground, analog ground). These have to be good and reliable grounds... Just like our OEM O2 sensors, they all have separate/differential grounds. Why? Because that's required for sensitive equipment such as the WB 02 sensors.

Third, what orientation is the sensor mounted in? if oyu look at a cross section of the pipe with the sensor mounted on it, the sensor must be above the 10 degree angle from the horizontal line in running through the circular cross section. I.e., it must be between the 10 and 2 o'clock positions, with the tail of the sensor (the wires) pointing up (an the tip of the sensor pointing down). Look at how the stock primary O2 sensors are mounted on our cars.

Also, if it's right after a pipe bend (like within 1-3 inches), at cold starts you can splash the condensation that collects in the pipes right onto the sensors while it's still cold, which can damage it as it's begining to heat up.

All of this information is in the instruction manual for the LC-1. If all this doesn't work, then you may have a bad unit...I am sure they will stand behind it. Call Innovate and talk to Court or Felipe, and tell them about it. THey have a full 6 month warranty, but they don't usually adhere to it and will replace the unit even after this period (Klaus, their VP of engineering, said so himself on their forums). As long as you try these suggestions first, I am sure you will find that they will very much be willing to help you.

 

All good suggestions. And believe me, we follow them very closely. I have spoken to Innovate CS numerous times, and really couldnt get any good reason as to why the sensors are pooping out.

 

Where did you weld this bung for your wideband? Could the bung be welded under 3 o'clock - 9 o'clock? If so, then that is the problem.

 

Ouch...in tha case it's a bad unit.

 

Maybe I just need to call them and see what they can do for me. Then take it from there. Hopefully that's just it. Only time will tell.

 

I have the same problem by the way... We have looked at it a number of times... damn thing jutt does not want to work anymore...
I am very tempted to tear it out and just not deal with it anymore. I liked it while it worked (for those couple of months anyway) but it has been pretty much useless for many months now and a even after a couple of new sensors have been tried...

 

Well I have replaced sensors a few times do to the ign being left on. Do some research and you will understand.

You rebut with no facts. Sorry

 

That's about the right idea, not deal with it no more.

Since your on the F-Con, you shouldn't have that much to worry about? I'll be there soon enough.

 

holy cow you seem to be running rich as hell. i have the innovate wideband and a tn single kit. idle is 14.8-15.1 and 11.8-12.1 under boost, very consistent.