P0342 Cam Sensor

Ok,

Guy never called back, so hopefully I can have it rescanned tomorrow...

Local jokes want $53 for the 02 sensor.

Theres this baby on E Bay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-BWD-UNIVERSAL-OXYGEN-SENSOR-1995-1999-BUICK-RIVIERA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem5acf44a1adQQitemZ390024438189QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Anyone ever use a universal one? Does it come with detailed wiring info?

Like I stated earlier were pretty broke. If i can skimp on this Im going to

If it's still drivable with the current O2 sensor, don't skimp. Your only asking for trouble with a universal one. Wait until you can get the correct one and a good brand name, preferably from your local auto parts store in case you have a failure. Bad one's out of the box are not uncommon.
It happened to me just recently and had to wait until I returned the bad one and then they mailed me a new one. about a week delay all total.
From now on I'll buy local sensors.
If you can get one local it might save you some aggravation.
I ran mine on the bad one for that week without any real bad side effects.
Just had to look at the CEL and a hesitation and surge issue.

problem with universals is often failing at the splice - you have to splice them to the system and they don't give you connectors or anything for that. Worse, the voltage/current from the sensor is not very much, and the connection is in a harsh environment. And sometimes the sensors are bad in the box anyway.

If you do use a universal, keep the connector off the old one, cut the wires about 3" to 5" from the sensor, and then crimp heatproof (nylon) spade or bullet connectors on the lines, then connect the old connector to the new sensor at the nylon connectors. The line will then be 3" or so longer than the OE rigging, so use a nylon tie to lash it to something so it does not flop around and cause the splice to get loose.

Albertj

BWD = Borg Warner is not bad at all in the realm of aftermaket electronics. If you go to the local store, they will almost certainly have a universal option like that too. Most of the big chains sell Bosch sensors with a 1 year warranty so that will cover any out-of-the-box defects at least. I would also get the O2 sensor socket (some stores have them for rent) and a can a PB blaster to make it easier.

It's ironic that I'm saying this, seeing as I work for an auto parts supply, but if you want to be really slick, buy it and carefully install it. If it doesn't fix the problem, clean it up real nice and return it saying you didn't need it. These are non-returnable if installed. So just make sure you don't install it.

I would only get a Delco or Denso O2 sensor. Don't get a Bosch, they are known for being problematic.

deekster_caddy wrote:

I would only get a Delco or Denso O2 sensor. Don't get a Bosch, they are known for being problematic.

Albertj

Ive heard that about the Bosch ones awhile back...

Ok I will look for the Denso one. Will have to order it from Rock Auto if nobody local has it...

the series 1 95 riv only has 1 oxy sensor. im having similar issues and will take her to a buds shop tuesday for a full diagnostic. $85

The one I got bad out of the box was a DELPHI, supposed to be OEM good. But wasn't. I realize any thing can suffer crib death but O2 sensors seem to have more of an issue with being dead out of the box than should be expected.
It seems all that has to happen is they get mishandled i.e. Dropped and they are no good.
A friend of mine went thru 4 consecutive sensors recently before the 5th was good. If the auto parts store didn't know him well, and his reputation for being an excellent technician, they would not have believed that a batch of 4 sensors were bad but they were.

The 95 must of been a funny Rivi

The Supercharged motor was a series 1

The non supercharged was a series 2

Better be, thats what I got stuffed in mine, a series 3 with series 2 sensors... Wonder if thats the problem?