Monday, October 15, 2012 - 10:57 am, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
Our Soarer failed to proceed (actually, failed to start) yesterday and diagnostics suggested the O2 sensors had given out (code 21). After much searching of this board and overseas, I had a "Google ad" alongside search results and for once it was worthwhile clicking the link, because I found this site: http://o2sensors.com.au/ which not only had all Soarer models listed (a first for me, for an Australian site) but very reasonable prices for O2 sensors. I've ordered two of the required model for our car.
My email enquiries were answered promptly by Andrew, who it turns out, is a fellow Soarer owner (V8 he's owned for 8 years).
I'll post follow-up once the sensors have arrived and are fitted. Price was around $114 each for late '97 JZZ-31, plus delivery. The earlier model JZZ-31 (which requires only one, apparently) closer to $190. Turbos and V8s are listed as well.
Monday, October 15, 2012 - 08:59 pm, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
"Car not starting" can be caused by a thousand different factors, Boris. In this case, diagnostic check revealed code 21 which is O2 sensors, specifically the heaters, which are apparently part of the O2 sensors. I have been concerned about my sensors for a long time- since I used to get 17l/100km on Norfolk, and still get only 16.5l/100km around town in Cobar. Economy on a highway run is much better (down to 9s) but still not as good as it should be.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012 - 05:11 pm, by: Boris Siljanoski(Z2tt)
I think instead of going by what the codes are telling you :
See if you are getting fuel, are the injectors pulsing, is there decent fuel pressure? Are the plugs firing at the correct crank position and are all the plugs firing with a decent spark?
O2 Sensors are not operational from the second you put the key in the barrel, and turn it over to start the car, so whether your o2 sensors are failed or not, it will not make a difference in starting
I'm not a Soarer Expert so I could be wrong, keen to see how it goes.
Thursday, October 18, 2012 - 04:02 pm, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
I'm pretty sure it's getting fuel- there was a distinct smell of petrol at the exhaust after much cranking, and there was a smell of fuel when I removed the O2 sensors. As for the plugs firing, there were a couple of small "firings" where I thought it might start. I'm anxious to see too whether the new sensors will get it going: they are yet to arrive (postage is quoted at 2-6 days and it has only been two, and I'm in the bush).
Friday, October 19, 2012 - 11:58 am, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
Well, the new O2 sensors arrived yesterday and I immediately noticed that I'd made an error in ordering. The 3.0 VVTi has two O2 sensors pre-cat, and they're different! One is longer than the other, but that wasn't the major issue- the plugs are very different. So, rather than return one of the sensors for refund and then wait for the correct one (not to mention the postage both ways plus the extra $70-75 for the correct sensor) I cut plug off old one and joined to new sensor wires.
Easier said than done- the silver wire refused to take solder and it all took ages to complete.
The upshot though was the car started first go, which was a huge relief; now for a drive to see how it's running under load.
The moral of this story though is to get the right part in the first place, and don't assume that because sensors and wiring look the same one end, that they will be at the other!
The sensor place in Melbourne have great service, as mentioned earlier, each sensor comes with 3 of the push-in retainers with integral cable ties and a small tube of anti-seize compound (of which I used only a tiny amount, there is enough to do dozens of O2 sensors).
Saturday, October 20, 2012 - 04:04 pm, by: David Ward(Djwtoyota)
As matter of interest Mike, you may find that the reason the silver wire wouldn't take solder is that it is probably high temp cable and that the wire is crimped rather than soldered as solder has a quite low melting point. The wire may well be braided S'Steel for example. You may find you will need a crimped lug and don't use insulating tape either. Might be worth checking out mate other wise it may end up shorting out when it gets really hot.
Saturday, October 20, 2012 - 07:14 pm, by: Mike Triggs(Mikeandimah)
I figured that might be the case, David. I ended up using some slim joiners I had and crimped them, although they were nowhere as neat as the crimps I found on the sensor wires where they'd been joined, presumably to make longer sensors, or to make the various models with their huge variety of plugs.