Which O2 sensor can be spliced in for M103?
 

I remember reading there is a mustang sensor or something that I can find locally at autozone that I can splice in for like $40 to make it work instead of paying $120+ for the one for my engine.

Anybody know the part # or model year for it?

I am dropping my exhaust for transmission removal so I figure I might as well replace it now.

Thanks,

Any generic sensor can be spliced in, and just about every parts house can sell you one.

They can't all be the same...Which one's/type specifically?

The only difference is the electrical connector and wire length. The thread size and oxygen sensing part are the same for every sensor. The generic sensor will not have a connector.

Splicing
 

if you're taking the transmission out why not do the O2 thing right? Why try to splice a questionable part/result into a thousand dollar plus job just to save $50? That doesn't make sense to me...

Because I know people have done it before without any issues, so why not?
I'm pulling the tranny myself to save money...I just need to replace the main seal and put the K1 kit in...Most expensive item was the fluid...

A generic sensor is available from Bosch, the company that made the original. Paying $50 for a connector doesn't make sense to me.

There are at least three different types of O2 sensors used in cars today, and they are NOT interchangeable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_sensor

I believe your car uses the standard zirconia sensor but make sure the person you buy the generic sensor is aware of the specific application. It's also a good idea to have a wiring diagram of the sensor and the wires in the car, I've done this job before and its been my experience that the wiring instructions supplied with the generic O2 sensor kits are not 100% correct. These kits also come with a 'crimp' type generic connector to integrate the old/new wiring harnesses - given the environment the O2 sensor lives in I would never consider using a crimp kit. Soldering is the only way to go here, if you are comfortable with basic car wiring there is no reason not to use the generic sensors but there are things that you have to pay attention to - and its certainly possible to make a mistake.

i had replaced the original sensor with a generic Bosch unit ,
It was identical to the one i had originally with the three wires . these come inside to the foot-well area and spliced on at the original connector.
The white wire for the output data , the two remaining wires for the sensor heating element
mak
300se/89

ps2cho, Bosch Oxygen Sensor 13953 (with three wires, 2 white and 1 black, coming from the sensor to a round connector) for a 1990 Mustang GT fits a 1991 300CE with the 104 engine. Not sure if that same oxygen sensor will work for the 103 engine after splicing in the longer wires from your existing oxygen sensor. The Bosch oxygen sensor specific to a 1991 300CE has two separate connectors -- a 2-wire flat connector and a round connector.

Suggest you check the wiring configuration of your oxygen sensor to see if it has 3 wires. I know that the oxygen sensor for a 1995 E320 has 4 wires, so all 124 cars definitely don't use the same oxygen sensor.

You guys are making this so difficult. The parts stores will have a listing of which type sensor each car requires. The connector of the existing sensor can be inspected easily to verify the syle needed.
The correct sensor will likely fit dozens of cars, not just Benz and Mustang.

Bosch*Oxygen Sensor Part No.*13953
[90 mustang gt - 5.0L]

currently installed in my 93 190E m103 (3.0L)

$40, cut & splice.

Ferdman, the reason your m104 has 3 wires compared to the 95 m104 is likely because early m104's used the CIS-E system as opposed to later m104 which went over to a newer control system.

Perfect that's what I was looking for :) Thanks!

I have replaced the O2 sensor before so I know the connections, I just wanted to make sure to splice in a KNOWN part # that works.

I was browsing around the sensors for the Mustang, and there is a Denso one for $27! I have no issues paying another $12 for the Bosch one, but would the Denso work just the same? I assume it should...?

Get it if it's got the correct MB plug, that's a bargain worth trying even if it doesn't work out. If it doesn't have the correct plug I'd just get the Bosch 19353, solder it, and declare victory.

thread digging here,

the '94 M104 uses the newer fuel injection setup and not CIS-E so I cannot use the $35 mustang sensor, correct?

These types of threads are amusing to me. A new correct Bosch sensor can be had for $63 shipped to your door. It's a part that's only replaced every 60k miles. Your time should be more valuable than the few bucks you're going to save by splicing and/or soldering wires together. I mean, how much time has already been spent just trying to find which cheap replacement works?

One person spends their time -- many benefit and save money. I don't see the problem here?

Just for confirmation, I spliced in the sensor and it works.
part# 13942. Exactly the same sensor.

--

Don check how many wires. I believe yours probably has 4 wires. There may be a comparable 4 wire Bosch that will work too, but I haven't looked into it.

In addition to this, I can't remember ever seeing on for less than $90 or so, plus shipping...

I just had a new original Bosch 13146 sensor delivered to my door for $63 total. I don't need it now, but it's nice to have. And at that price there isn't much to be saved by taking the time to splice anything. The savings, if any, would be negligible once time is factored in.

well, show me the $63 sensor that isn't some reboxed off brand thing.

I don't know if it's fair to post it hereon, so I sent you a PM.

Bosch makes lots of different direct-fit and universal (splice-in) sensors for lots of different makes.

If you use their vehicle parts finder, you'll find that the one you discussed here and used in the Ford is NOT correct for the MB. While it may splice in and seem to work fine, it won't be doing what MB designed and what Bosch built to meet that design. Your emissions may be off, your fuel economy may suffer, the performance may not be correct, you may reduce cat life, or some combination of all four.

The correct one for the 88 300TE is a 13925 (direct fit).
The universal one for the same car is a 15735.


http://www.boschautoparts.com/VehiclePartFinder/Pages/VehiclePartFinder.aspx

Hold on though,

All the Oxygen sensor is doing is giving a voltage between 0 and 1 volt. If it is doing this then nothing else matters - this is all the ECU cares about.

And if the Ford sensor is the same "type" of sensor and gives this output then if shouldn't effect anything so far as the ECU is concerned.