Hello all, and thanks in advance.

Here's the deal: my 1986 Ford Ranger, after much drama, is running. Idles well, until maybe a half hour or so it dies. Seems to load up.

The sensors that been placed previously are MAP, EGR Throttle Position, IAC Fuel Pressure regulator.

Haven't done the OBD 1 test yet, but there are a lot of miles in this sensor. The problem I have is that it seems it was replaced in the past by a universal sensor, with a white, blue wire. I've only been to O'Reilly's and their substitute is one black and two white. I have yet to try NAPA and AutoZone.

If I have to figure this out, is there a process to get it right with the wiring?

Thanks so much.

If anyone cares to read the conclusion of my long running issue, it's in my previous post.

 

Even Ford O2 sensors are "universal", Ford usually used Bosch O2s

Yes each maker has their own wire colors on the LEAD wire that plugs into the vehicles wiring harness

Heated O2 sensors have 4 wires
2 for the heater
2 for the sensor

Popular brand colors here: https://www.aa1car.com/library/o2_wire_chart.jpg

These don't really matter unless they are different from the North American standard wiring, which is unlikely

On a 2.9l the O2 CONNECTOR on the main wiring harness should have
Black/white stripe wire for heater Ground
Grey/yellow wire for heater 12volt

Dark Green for sensor
Orange for sensor

O2s are all the same inside, the part number difference is the LENGTH of the lead wire. that comes with it

 

Hi Ron,

Great stuff, thanks as always.

I will certainly apply that. I did forget a few details, and I hope you can reply again. The connector off the main harness has been removed from a past owner (as well as the connector at the oxygen sensor) I went to Auto Zone and what THEY call an OEM has a black wire and two white ones (with the connector, of course). They also have what they call a Universal (Bosch). Again, a black wire and two whites. No stripes on those whites, they are both straight white.

I don't know if those whites are interchangeable???

Or, if there's a resistance test or something I can do with a multimeter???

Or, maybe the placement of the wires is a clue???

I just don't want to fry the ECM.

That's where I stand. I don't know if I can get lucky at a junkyard and find the same connector with the original wire colors the same, so I'm flying blind here.

Tony

 

If there are only 3 wires then the Heater wires will be the same color, i.e. the two white wires are for the heater, there is no polarity

The single wire, different color than the other 2, is the Signal wire(black wire in above), the sensor wire to the computer

Doesn't matter what brand, or colors
two of the same color are for the heater
different color sensor

 

Ah, got it. So in both these types of sensors the black must be the sender and the whites are the heaters. I can go and buy the OEM and just clip the wires and use my own connectors.

Sound good?

Thanks so much for taking the time, Ron! You are the best.

tony