Are lambda sensors interchangeable? The reason I ask is I've dropped on yet another C4GP 1.6hdi with knackered turbo, egr and dpf. The woman who owned it insisted it didn't need servicing because it hadn't done 20k miles since its last service. That was nearly three years ago
I have all the replacement parts except for the lambda sensor. The proper one is 1628LS at £98 from Citroen and about £85 elsewhere. I have seen 1628KN and CW at a third of the price but don't want to waste money on a sensor that doesn't fit or is rejected, hence my question.
Curious! All three came up as sensors on my search, but that's by the bye. Question's still the same though, irrespective of part numbers, are they interchangeable?
Speaking generally you can buy multi-application Lambda sensors which require you to cut the plug off the old sensor. Sometimes this is the only difference between different sensors so they should work. Having said that on the only occasion I've had to do with Lambda sensors I bought the right items.
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I've seen quite a few variations - some with 5 wires others 4, different materials and different operating voltages and signalling - so personally I would stick to an original designed for that specific engine and ECU. IF there were all the same functionally / operationally wise, surely there would only be the one type.
If it's a 16v then there isn't a Lambda sensor ( no need on a diesel as it runs lean all the time). I think the 8V engine may have a Lambda, possibly to help optimise the re-gen cycle. In a 16V the sensor halfway down the CAT / DPF is a temperature probe.
Essentially, there are two main common types of lambda sensor, titanium and zirconium based. Of these, there are standard and pre-heated versions. Somewhat rare is another type which gives a continuously variable output. Beyond that, the main difference is in connectors, although there are also variations in construction. Bottom line is that there are usually cheaper universal equivalents to an OEM sensor. Cheap ones often don't last long, but the appropriate Bosch, NGK, Denso etc. universal types, where the original connector is re-used, should be fine.
All interesting stuff about Lambada sensors - Mandrake had trouble with a V6 where he fitted an apparent correct sensor, but it was the wrong resistance, and never worked properly - however, the sensor in question here is not a Lambda sensor I am sure. Eddie posted 1628LS at £98, but the temperature sensor fitted to 1.6 16v HDI is 1618LS at the right price, so that is the bit he is looking for. I doubt it's knackered TBH, and can probably be refitted to the new DPF.
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