[OpenFlash]

Ok guys,
This is a first in a line of DIY guides that we will be possting.

In this guide, we'll be showing how to make an o2 simulator. This is specifically used for catless cars. Off-road race cars, of course. This mod is not emissions legal and using it on the street can subject you to fines.

Also, we take no responsibility for any damage that may arise, directly or indirectly, from this modification.

Those disclaimers aside, this mod will take you about 10 minutes and cost you about $2. A lot better than paying $100+ for o2 sim boxes that do the same thing.

What does an o2 simulator do?
Before we get to that, first let's see what a standard o2 sensor signal looks like. Measured on a scope, it will look like this:


On a stock car, with stock cats, the signal varies between ~0.7 to ~0.4 volts during cruise conditions. However, once test pipes are installed, the range increases to ~0.9 to ~0.4 volts. This extra swing is what induces the catalyst inefficiency limp/code. So the idea behind the o2 sim is to reduce the voltage swing back down to stock levels. This is done by something called a voltage divider. This is also the same concept behind MAP attenuators (JB and SSTT). You can read more about voltage dividers here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage_divider

What a voltage divider does is reduce voltage by a fixed %. This % is dictated purely by resistor choice. In this case, we want to reduce the max voltage by approx 80%. So we choose to use a 10k ohm and a 2.2k ohm resistor (10/(10+2.2))=82%. Other combinations of resistors can be used to get the same effect.

So that's the theory. In the next post, we'll go over how to actually do it.

cheers,
shiv

[scalbert]

I would have thought the switching frequency would have also changed.

[scalbert]

Also, you sure that just isn't signal generator on the scope? Looks too clean for an O2 sensor.

[garyhgaryh]

Professor Vishnu: Reminds me of EE lab in college.

[garyhgaryh]

Originally Posted by scalbert

Also, you sure that just isn't signal generator on the scope? Looks too clean for an O2 sensor.

That's what I was thinking.. very clean signal.. and very regular

[OpenFlash]

What you will need assuming you already have a PROcede PnP harness:

1) One 10k ohm resistor
2) One 2.2k ohm resistor
3) 10 inch section of 22 gauge wire
4) Soldering ability
5) Wire cutters/strippers
6) Shrink wrap or electrical tape

Step 1
First locate the rear o2 wires on the PnP harness. They are the two wires that are color coded black:


Step 2
Cut, strip and join the wires as follows. Sorry for the rotten pic. Basically, you are taking out a 1/2 section from the center of both black wires. On the side with the male subconnector (left in pic), you only will be using one of the two wires. Pick one and strip the end.
On the side with male subconnector (right in pic), you will need to strip the ends of both wires and twist them together.


Step 3
Take the 2.2k ohm resistor and join the single wire on the left to the joint wires on the right. Solder these connections.


Step 4
Take the 10k ohm resistor and wire it up as such:


Step 5
Next, add a section of wire to the other end of the 10k ohm resistor. Join the other end of that wire to the PROcede harness's ground wire (not shown). And then cover up the exposed resistors with shrink wrap or electrical tape. You should also cover up the exposed wire end with electrical tape (not shown).


Step 6
Re-install the harness and go for a drive. You should not trip the catalyst inefficiency code anymore. And you should also get catalyst system readiness after a day or so of driving.

Conclusion
What you basically did with this DIY is take one of the two o2 signals, used a voltage divider to scale down the voltage output and fed this new-and-improved signal to both ECU signal inputs. The same job can be done even if you don't have a PROcede PnP harness. You just need to locate the same two wires in the factory harness. They are on the small black subconnector. Pin 19 and 20. They are yellow/white wires, IIRC.

NOTE:
This mod is only for those who are running fully cat-less and throwing P0420 and P0430 codes. If this does apply to you, there is no need to do this mod.

Cheers
shiv

[OpenFlash]

Next Vishnu DIY: How to build a boost controller (SSTT/JB-like device) for under $2

[skim7x]

how about a turbo-timer?

[garyhgaryh]

Originally Posted by skim7x

how about a turbo-timer?

Comes with the car .... don't you hear the coolant pump running after the car is shut down?

[skim7x]

Yeahhh... for some reason I'm just not comforted by the sound of the coolant pump alone... I want the whole damn engine on for a minute or two after I walk away from the car... =P Guess I just need to get used to it...

[scalbert]

Originally Posted by shiv@vishnu

On the side with the female subconnector (left in pic), you only will be using one of the two wires. Pick one and strip the end.
On the side with male subconnector (right in pic), you will need to strip the ends of both wires and twist them together.

I dunno, but those protruding pins on the left would signal it being a male terminal. I could be wrong but I beleive I confirmed the notion just recently while using the restroom.

[garyhgaryh]

[OpenFlash]

Originally Posted by scalbert

I dunno, but those protruding pins on the left would signal it being a male terminal. I could be wrong but I beleive I confirmed the notion just recently while using the restroom.

You are correct sir. Original post edited accordingly. I went to the bathroom for confirmation as well.

[M3to335]

Hamburgers and Hot Dogs


One more thing you may want to comment on is how certain folks need "stronger" sims vs others. Does this mean the waveform in those vehicles has a larger amplitude? If so, is there an easy DIY for an adjustable sim. Potentiometer type I suppose.

[Hunter399]

Very interesting post

[tek818]

Will the DP loom that was provided with the v2-v3 upgrade work in this application?

[M3to335]

tek, I sort of dabbled on that subject here....

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=151264

[evorobert]

i love these vishnu threads because it only validates the following:

cheap, limp mode free devices

[335iheLLraiseR]

Originally Posted by M3to335

tek, I sort of dabbled on that subject here....

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=151264

so does that mean that loom is now useless?

[dzenno]

I have Terry's o2 simms and they also intercept the 32 pin on the larger ecu connector (black subconnector). What signal does this wire carry??

[OpenFlash]

Originally Posted by dzenno

I have Terry's o2 simms and they also intercept the 32 pin on the larger ecu connector (black subconnector). What signal does this wire carry??

Signal ground. The approach posted here uses chassis ground instead. Less pin extractions the better, IMO.

shiv

[mmmotornutz]

Hmm, if I was to do this, I would do the following correct:
1. Remove wire 19 and 20 from the small black sub-connector.
2. Cap either wire 19 or 20.
3. Connect which ever is left from #2, either wire 19 or 20, to the voltage divider.
4. Connect the output wire of the voltage divider to both pins 19 and 20.

Am I missing anything here, well aside from going to Fry's and buying the resistors.