My New O2 Sensor Melted! Help Please!

[Medium Dave]

I was having hunting problems and I think it was my O2 sensor, so I picked up two from my mechanic one from an rb20 with a small dent in the side, and a 300zx one which he said would work and looked the same.

The old sensor didnt survive the removal process (it was in pretty tight) so I cant put that one back in, so I put in the new one, which had a different sensor, looked like a vent you see on the top of delivery vans, the old one had a series of holes... Anyhow I crossed my fingers, started her up, ran ok, went for a drive around the block, and half way it started running really badly and beginning to smell like something was burning.. I went straight home, lifted the bonnet and the new O2 sensor was smoking!

Sorry for the lengthy post, but im a bit stuck for options, I have one more sensor, but I dont want to use it if its going to do the same thing, I need to know if I did something wrong installing it, or it is completely the wrong type of sensor, If i find the other type can I get away with changing the plugs over? I cant really wait 3 weeks to get one from japan, I am a computer tech and need my car for work!

Any help is greatly appreciated

[GTAHH]

Sorry for the question but I have to ask. You sure you wired it up right? Did the sensor you put in have 3 wires? Was that sensor for 300zx's?

If your positive then i'd recomend grabbing a new sensor. You can use universal sensors made for EL falcons that you can find for $70 odd bucks and they work perfectly.

Cheers

[Medium Dave]

Yeah, they had the same plug, went straight in, I tried the rb20 one... Might see if I can find a falcadore one then thanks heaps, youre a champion

[BHDave]

some nissan sensors use different pins on the plug for power/earth signal, so may have been unlucky and stuck one in with the pins in the wrong spot.

check you original sensor, it should have a red, white and black wire. Make sure that the new sensor has them in the same order. The black and red can be swapped around as they are only for the heater element but the signal has to be right.

[michael87]

Apparently the el falcons O2 wired to up to a r33. I ended up getting a genuine one from Nissan.

-michael87