O2 Simulator 94 Cruiser - VA Emissions

[ishootcanon]

Update:
After replacing corroded o2 sensors I thought my cats were going bad because my check engine light was going on and off. My thought process was to get a sim for the o2 sensor and the cats could be left alone. Someone on here confirmed that the cats and the o2 sensor are not linked on a 94 cruiser.

Checked the code again to confirm and it reads error 26. Action has yet to be taken. Advise so far is to replace o2 sensors with OE parts.


Original Post:
In the state of Virginia if your vehicle is over 25 years old you do not have to have your emissions inspected. My 94 Land Cruiser is going to meet that requirement next year(2019). Ironically, my cats are going bad and my check engine light keeps going on and off. So I am wondering, is there a product or way to just unplug my O2 sensors so that I don't have to spend $1k + on new cats that I don't need anymore?

I did a quick search on here and found a bunch of threads that were unanswered. I also did a google search but I was unable to find the right guidance. Looking for some help here.

Much appreciated,
Tim

 

[gummycarbs]

Put new cats on instead of stinking up the road. It's a few hundred dollars.

MagnaFlow® - Pre-OBDII Universal Fit Oval Body Catalytic Converter

 

[ishootcanon]

Put new cats on instead of stinking up the road. It's a few hundred dollars.

MagnaFlow® - Pre-OBDII Universal Fit Oval Body Catalytic Converter

You are right, I could spend the money to replace the cats on my vehicle. While that is an option I am also looking for information on simulators for my car.

 

[gummycarbs]

How much time are you going to invest in searching for a workaround instead of just fixing the obvious problem? Doesn't make any sense.

 

[ishootcanon]

How much time are you going to invest in searching for a workaround instead of just fixing the obvious problem? Doesn't make any sense.

Hopefully not to much time, hints why I am asking the seasoned pros on this forum if anyone has experience or knowledge about the sims. If sims end up being a fix for >$100 maybe that is all my budget can afford at the moment. The cats you shared need additional welding and fitment. In the Northern Virginia DC area that work does not come cheap so to replace just one cat with your solution it would be around $1k and up.

Sometimes your way or your perception of the "right way" is not always applicable for others and their circumstances. Appreciate the helpful advise and link though.

 

[gummycarbs]

If sims end up being a fix

They aren't a fix.

The cats you shared need additional welding and fitment.

Clamps exist.

 

[ishootcanon]

They aren't a fix.



Clamps exist.

*Alternative solution...

*Clamps are additional funds and add to price point.

Glad to see the community here is so responsive!

 

[gummycarbs]

Camps are additional funds and add to price point.

Wow.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

On your '94 the o2 sensor has nothing to do with the cats. You would need an o2 sensor after the cat for the condition of the cats to matter.

Assuming you've checked the code and it's is fornan o2 it's probably a bad o2 or you are actually running lean/rich. A simulator is pointless on the pre-obd2. It would be smarter to just replace the o2 sensor.

 

[Malleus]

Depends on how VA inspects the truck. You can have them removed, but if the inspector knows the truck was sold new with them, and catches you, you'll fail. I used to live in SC when they still had inspections, and some inspectors barely knew how to turn the ignition on; others seemed to know every option every make and model ever had. It was a crap shoot.

What error code(s) are you getting?

To answer your question directly, here's the system layout
paras 1(3) and 2 (3):

H7 and H8:

So, if you really wanted to bypass the oxygen sensors, you could put a 5-6.5 ohm resistor in the circuit, where it wouldn't be seen by some sharp eyed inspector. But, that's really going to a lot of trouble to solve a problem that's easier solved by installing new parts.

HTH

 

[ishootcanon]

On your '94 the o2 sensor has nothing to do with the cats. You would need an o2 sensor after the cat for the condition of the cats to matter.

Assuming you've checked the code and it's is fornan o2 it's probably a bad o2 or you are actually running lean/rich. A simulator is pointless on the pre-obd2. It would be smarter to just replace the o2 sensor.

Thanks for the info, really appreciated. I have actually replaced the O2 sensors a few times as they keep going bad/corroded. I had a shop look it and they couldn't tell why they were going bad so quickly. I assumed my engine light was going on and off because the cats were on their way out. The codes I am getting are in fact telling me the car is running rich....

 

[ishootcanon]

Depends on how VA inspects the truck. You can have them removed, but if the inspector knows the truck was sold new with them, and catches you, you'll fail. I used to live in SC when they still had inspections, and some inspectors barely knew how to turn the ignition on; others seemed to know every option every make and model ever had. It was a crap shoot.

What error code(s) are you getting?

To answer your question directly, here's the system layout
paras 1(3) and 2 (3):
View attachment 1604616

H7 and H8:
View attachment 1604621

View attachment 1604622
View attachment 1604623

So, if you really wanted to bypass the oxygen sensors, you could put a 5-6.5 ohm resistor in the circuit, where it wouldn't be seen by some sharp eyed inspector. But, that's really going to a lot of trouble to solve a problem that's easier solved by installing new parts.

HTH

This is awesome info man. Thank you so much. See my response to BlueCruiser84. If the O2 sensors don't correlate to bad cats then maybe my original assumption is completely invalid and I have a different issue at hand.

 

[Malleus]

Error code 26?

This isn't an oxygen sensor problem.

 

[ishootcanon]

Error code 26?
View attachment 1604631

This isn't an oxygen sensor problem.

Last time I check I believe it was 26 and another code. I can check again after work today and post up here the codes. Now all I have to do is find a paper clip to check the codes again...obd1 life problems Hopefully the engine light is on so that I can read them.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

What brand of o2 sensors do you keep installing? If they are bottom dollar sensors supplied by your local shop that could be one reason they corrode.

The O2 sensors also catch all the liquid and road grime that gets thrown off the PS tire.

Do you make lots of short trips? Never burning the condensation out of the exhaust?

You can always delete the PAiR system and put them in the exhaust manifold.

You may also have a corrosion issue in the O2 harness wiring causing faulty readouts.

OR you may be running rich!

 

[ajax1]

They are going bad cause they are not the right sensors, on 93 94 you get them as a pair from Toyota spend 230 bucks and be done, or keep buying cheap sensor that do not work with our trucks.

 

[Rifleman]

How much time are you going to invest in searching for a workaround instead of just fixing the obvious problem? Doesn't make any sense.

It may make sense to him if he's retired, living on a fixed income.

 

[ppc]

According to his profile he is 29. If he is retired I'm doing something wrong.

 

[OTRAMM]

I've seen a few come through with code 26 and the plugs on the sensors were full of corrosion. Cleaned the vehicle side of the plug with contact cleaner and installed OE sensors and the problem went away.

 

[mikedamageinc]

You must be in northern VA for this to matter. To add my 2 cents, get a high flow cat, a good magnaflow is 100 or less, and buy a mud member lunch to weld it on. Check out capital city land cruisers. Get a Toyota front o2, you can get a Sim for the rear and tuck it like it's legit and call it a day.

I've ran without cats before and it stinks and doesn't give you any more power.