And Dave a o2 sensor works on a similiar principle of a thermocouple, it produces a voltage when it heats, the computer trims the fuel to air ratio to match a certain temperature that the computer wants to see, as a thermocouple gets older it weakens.

 

I think I need to update this signiture, my son is now taller than me and my daughter graduated

 

Yeah, they do have a tendency to get older..... That's your fault ya know.

 

HeyYou, I finally got a Check engine light, & had the Van "scanned" at O'Reily's. A guy named Paul, told me that the scan states that my Front Bank O2 Sensor is Bad.But, to get the part, it's going to take 48 hours. Previously you recommended that I disconnect it, in order to see if the Van would operate better. My question is, how long can I Safely leave the O2 sensor disconnected? Could I drive to a job, about 12 miles away, in order to get some cash flow going, or should I leave the Van parked?

 

You can drive it with the sensor disconnected. No big deal. Your gas mileage will suffer, but, aside from that, it won't hurt anything.

 

Would that stop the hesitation, power loss, & infrequent back firing through the throttle body?

 

Doubtful.

 

Dang.

 

Depends on how bad the sensor really is, give it a shot, see what happens.

 

I'll try that HeyYou, ... I was just hoping to be able to use it without greatly damaging it, while I was waiting for that part.