BMW E36 328I OXYGEN SENSORS

[bmw328]

Well, I took it for a Diagnostic last week, & Guess what? This is the following Fault Report:
Error 55 Output stage for oxygen sensor heating, sensor 2 (Cylinder 4-6: before CAT)
Error 25 Output stage for oxygen sensor heating, sensor 1 (Cylinder 1-3: before CAT)
There were other errors 2, but after all errors were cleared, only the above ones returned!
The Shop where I took the car for the Diagnostic, Quoted me about R 8 000, roughly! For 2 second hand ones. Without labor.
Let me get to the point! I’m NOT going to pay R8000 for 2 sensors that might go in a few thousand kilometers. Not even R2000.
I’m looking for another solution?
• Change the whole M52 engine wiring harness & ECU, Sensors, MAF with a 325i M50 one. Or
• Find a way to bypass or ignore the Oxygen sensors.
And what are the symptoms of FAILED OXYGEN SENSORS?

 

[328ii]

Well, I took it for a Diagnostic last week, & Guess what? This is the following Fault Report:
Error 55 Output stage for oxygen sensor heating, sensor 2 (Cylinder 4-6: before CAT)
Error 25 Output stage for oxygen sensor heating, sensor 1 (Cylinder 1-3: before CAT)
There were other errors 2, but after all errors were cleared, only the above ones returned!
The Shop where I took the car for the Diagnostic, Quoted me about R 8 000, roughly! For 2 second hand ones. Without labor.
Let me get to the point! I’m NOT going to pay R8000 for 2 sensors that might go in a few thousand kilometers. Not even R2000.
I’m looking for another solution?
• Change the whole M52 engine wiring harness & ECU, Sensors, MAF with a 325i M50 one. Or
• Find a way to bypass or ignore the Oxygen sensors.
And what are the symptoms of FAILED OXYGEN SENSORS?

Could be their software or ... get 2nd opinion 1st

 

[james]

PM Gizmo. He CAN sort it out.

 

[bimmer330]

You can get them cheaper then that.
But there are no way to bypass them. no way.
just look and you will find.

 

[Lunatik]

check with bosch or bosch agents for the O2 sensors.....

they quoted me between 1-2k for a sensor for my car....

 

[Threetwoeight]

What happened?

I have a 1995 E36 328i, does not have any sensors in the exhaust only plugs where they could go in the exhaust manifold.

Try Bosch agents
Try Dastek

 

[Lunatik]

What happened?

I have a 1995 E36 328i, does not have any sensors in the exhaust only plugs where they could go in the exhaust manifold.

Try Bosch agents
Try Dastek

those plugs that go into the exhaust are the sensors....

 

[Threetwoeight]

I mean blank off plugs ie hexagon bolts, no Wires no sensors.

 

[rick540]

You can get sensors for R800 each Generic Bosch from GoldWagen. Just need to use the supplied kit to splice the wiring in.

If you unplug the sensors the ECU will choose default 0.45V, still get the error, but it will at least be fairly driveable till you can replace them (At the risk of being flamed on here it will actually be very driveable with default values, as the ecu defaults to the way the older ones worked, however this is only a solution IF the cats have been removed) If the cats are still there, then you cannot run them without O2 sensors

Yes I know it's better to replace the sensors with new ones, but default setting don't cost thousands.

Symptoms of bust O2 sensors would be very uneven running, flat spots, bad idle, beleive me, you would notice.

I see the error is just the O2 sensor heaters, and not the O2 sensor readings themselves. If the car is running well, then I'd just leave it for a while as the sensors will still opperate but they will take longer to reach opperating temparature (About a whole 2 mins as opposed to 15 seconds)

Finally are you sure it's the heaters in the sensors themselves, it's odd that both have failed, sounds like the fuse or heater relay could be faulty.

R8000 is the most rediculous price for O2 sensors I have ever seen, on my 540 they were R2200 each from the agents, I cant imagine like R3500 each, but then BMW have totally lost the plot with parts prices. The Bosch LS sensors have generics anyway, exactly the same as original

 

[P1000]

I don't think that car ever had oxygen sensors in SA spec, but reading your post, you don't state any problems apart from what is being reported by the diagnostics. It could be that there simply is no power output stage for the lambda sensor heaters, and now shows the error. Possibly your ecu was reflashed with software for a different country, possibly it was replaced with one from a more recent model. But in the end, unless you are experiencing problems like rick describes, don't be bothered.

 

[bmw328]

Thanx for all ure guys's repleys...

I actually did have problems with the car: Car heavy fuel consumtion 14 - 16 L/100KM. Engine lazy with Performance...

Had the sensors replaced with Replacement Original Siemens Sensors. And trust me there is a huge deferance... in Power and Fuel consumption - Went down to about 9.5 - 12 L/100KM...

And just for the record - BMW E36 323i and certain models of 328I are Eurapian imports and not assembled in South - Africa and therefore it does not have Bosch Electronical systems like the South - African couterparts (316i, 318i, 320i, 325i)

Siemens ECU, SIEMENS LAMBA SENSORS, so the Goldwagon Bosch Sensors are not compatable... and therefore the Price of a Siemens Sensor and Bosch also a huge differance...

 

[faheemo]

Wher did you source the siemens sensors from ?

 

[Lev]

I don't have any O2 sensors in my car (but I would like them), my consumption runs between 10-11,and I have enough power. But it could depend on your model also.

 

[bmw328]

Wher did you source the siemens sensors from ?

Hello Faheemo, You can still source the Siemens Oxygen Sensors From your Local dealer. All they need is your vehicle VIN nr. With the VIN nr they can actually check if your car's got the Oxygen sensors or not...
Some earlier models of the 328I actually didn't come with O2 sensors...

The agent source the sensors at about R6 600 for both and 3 weeks waiting period....

BUT

Its better to source it from someone that is STRIPPING a 323i/328i, you can pay about R500 for both....

Only way to check IF sensors is working is to get a DIAGNOSTIC done one the car....

 

[328-iM]

Hi Guys

My '98 E36 328i oxygen sensors are also "shot"....they have a input reading of 5.90V but no output reading......the diagnostic shows both sensors....went to BMW Agents here in Witbank and they asking R4700.00 each.....mad i know......after reading up on theis sensors they only last about 100 000km,so buying secondhand i don't think is a good idea...

My car has the following syptoms:rough/uneven idling....heavy on fuel....loss of power....

A good "tuner" of us here in Witbank who did the diagnostic test says you can replace the sensor with a aftermarked universal 4wire lambda probe....still waiting for Bosch to come back to me....

 

[bmw328]

The agents are totally mad!!!, I've tried changing 2 aftermarket sensors, not as simple as u would think, It must be exactly the V and maps for it to be accepted by the ecu. Otherwise it trigers a fault op the ecu and the engine managment runs in safemode, even with a new sensor. Making it run bad, a BIT heavy on fuel. The expected livespan of lambas is about 100 000km, but I personally only had to replace my sensors on 220 000KM's. I replaced my sensors a year back with original second hand 323I E36 sensors. To this date my problems have come to a end. I would stronly recommend original sensors, ,ew or secondhand. But secondhand ones can go for cheap, I paid R500 for mine as a set

Had a diagnostic done about 3 weeks back, and all is still well.

 

[Raybimmer]

Can the second hand sensor be checked by measuring the resistance value ? If second hand sensors were bought there is no guarantee they work , until fitted and you find no improvement .

 

[bmw328]

My personal experience is that u never Modify something electronic on a bmw, original is best, or aftermarket component that was designed to work on bmw electronic system. Do u really want to take a chance of damaging your cars ecu? Remember the cars ecu is directly connected to the lambas, only 1 crossed wire, and SHOT ecu. And please do remember the ecu is linked to the EWS2 and car keys. If the ecu is damaged all of the other components need to be changed 2. Its a expensive chance to take.

 

[328-iM]

@bmw328....what you saying about aftermarket sensors make sense and i didn't think about it in that way......and ye R4700.00 at BMW is mad...

Can you advise me on what E36 323i sensors did you use meaning year model and so on,did you buy from a scrapyard or how?
If your lasted for +-220 000km then yes i would also say buy secondhand as new ones is a mad price.....well mine is "shot" at +-340 000km.....

Pls let me know as the car is not a pleasure driving in town and in the mountains...

 

[bmw328]

@bmw328....what you saying about aftermarket sensors make sense and i didn't think about it in that way......and ye R4700.00 at BMW is mad...

Can you advise me on what E36 323i sensors did you use meaning year model and so on,did you buy from a scrapyard or how?
If your lasted for +-220 000km then yes i would also say buy secondhand as new ones is a mad price.....well mine is "shot" at +-340 000km.....

Pls let me know as the car is not a pleasure driving in town and in the mountains...

I guess your's is a 328I?

Mine is a 1998i 328I.
I replaced my sensors with a 1998 323I's sensors. You can try scrapyards, I got mine from endlessly searching the internet for people privately breaking up there cars. Try looking on GUMTREE, JUNKMAIL, MXIT exchange for adverts. I got my contact om MXIT EXCHANGE, a guy from Randfontein that wrote his 323i off.

I've noticed that my old sensors sounded like they rattled when u shake it close to ure ear. The replacement one did'nt. That might help u check if the sensor's faulty or damaged.