O2 sensor wiring extension

[oldguy668]

Can I cut/extend the O2 sensor harnesses? There are extensions available but they are all 4-pin. The Coyote is 6-pin.

[JGPierce]

Hi,

I've read that you should purchase an extension and don't do it yourself. Many different car forums say this. I guess the wires are special metal!?

My 4.6L 3V needed a 4 pin extension. Maybe call up American Muscle and Ford Racing to see what they have.

HTH.

John

[efnfast]

I wouldn't, they're not made of copper, they're made of steel. Most people agree xtending o2 wires is a bad idea if it's not by a plug-in style adapter

[Mustang Man]

Ok, a little misinformation here. True, you do NOT want to extend the sensor side wires. The main engine side wiring is another matter. That can be extended using common smart wiring practices (solder, shrink wrap, etc.). If you think about it, those extender harnesses are simply extensions of the factory harness wiring with plug in simplicity. Cutting and soldering in lengths of wires accomplishes the same thing with a bit more work (but allows custom lengths). Hell, some of the extender kits I've used have an unterminated end and you cut to length and add the connector body yourself. As long as you are not modifying the sensor wiring itself you'll be fine.

HTH...
Mark

[JGPierce]

Mark,

That makes a whole lot more sense. It didn't seam right that you couldn't extend the regular wires.

John

[Kempo]

This guys make extensions for most connector. They also make custom lengths.

http://www.bmotorsports.com/shop/index.php/cPath/109?osCsid=dbdq4dfahe54b56vi7ff0l5216

[oldguy668]

Mark, I didn't think it was inadvisable until I saw that the harness consisted of 6 wires and that 4 of them were twisted pairs. That usually means that there is some susceptibility to signal interference. I guess if my extensions observe the same protocol I can get away with it. Wish me luck.

[efnfast]

Ok, a little misinformation here. True, you do NOT want to extend the sensor side wires. The main engine side wiring is another matter. That can be extended using common smart wiring practices (solder, shrink wrap, etc.). If you think about it, those extender harnesses are simply extensions of the factory harness wiring with plug in simplicity. Cutting and soldering in lengths of wires accomplishes the same thing with a bit more work (but allows custom lengths). Hell, some of the extender kits I've used have an unterminated end and you cut to length and add the connector body yourself. As long as you are not modifying the sensor wiring itself you'll be fine.

HTH...
Mark

If the wires are steel I don't think you can solder them reliably? Unless the sensor side is steel, and the engine side is copper?

[Mustang Man]

Engine side is copper, and so are the aftermarket extensions...

Joe, my apologies, I've not seen the six wire "twisted pair" setup that the Coyote (and presumably other new engines use). I would think if you follow the wiring style/format, just like making your own Cat6 cable runs, you should be fine. I'll double check with my Ford Racing pals and see what they say...

Mark

[Mustang Man]

Alright, stop the presses. Just heard back from FRPP:


I just got some feedback from an engineer that you shouldn't extend those wires. It's beetter to put the O2 in a single runner for now. We're working on some copy to update our instruction manual on this very subject. Tell him to sit tight for a couple days.

Sorry, looks like it is NOT advisable to extend the wiring in any manner on the Coyote. When I hear more I'll let you know...

Mark

[efnfast]

Alright, stop the presses. Just heard back from FRPP:



Sorry, looks like it is NOT advisable to extend the wiring in any manner on the Coyote. When I hear more I'll let you know...

Mark

See what happens when you doubt The Great Alex =)

;)

(okay, yea, so maybe I lucked out on that one, lol) :D