Plug & Play Wideband Controller
Overview
This wideband controller requires no custom wiring! It simply plugs into the factory rear (or front) oxygen sensor connector. The controller receives power directly from the ECU via the oxygen sensor pre-heater circuitry. The ECU also receives the measured air-to-fuel ratio via the oxygen sensor signal input channel.
Wireless Display Option
This controller comes with a genuine Bosch LSU 4.9 sensor and an optional wireless display. The wireless display has a high-contrast, wide-viewing-angle 2.3″ × 1.8″ AMOLED touch screen. The display receives power from a magnetic base unit, which is permanently wired to +12V. The display has spring-loaded pins that receive power from the base unit, meaning the display can easily be removed at any time. When the display is removed from the base, the controller will continue to function, feeding information to the ECU.
Note: adding a display to a controller originally purchased without one is not possible. If you think you may want a display in the future, order it up front.
A demo of the screen can be seen here.
Built-In MAP Sensor & Boost Display
For those who order the controller with a display, a MAP sensor capable of measuring from vacuum to 58 PSI absolute (~44 psi gauge) will be included. A vacuum line will need to be connected to the barb on the side of the controller enclosure. The display can be switched from showing boost to AFR by tapping on the touch screen. A resettable peak-hold feature records the maximum boost pressure seen since the controller was powered on. The controller uses the MAP sensor signal exclusively for output to the display — it does not output this information to the ECU.
Thermal Shock Protection
Because the wideband sensor’s power is controlled by the ECU, the sensor will only start pre-heating after the engine has started. This prevents the most common failure mode of aftermarket-installed wideband sensors: thermal shock of the ceramic sensing element. If a wideband sensor is pre-heated prior to engine start, cold water from the engine hits the hot sensor and, over time, causes the ceramic element to crack.
With a conventional aftermarket wideband controller, the controller receives power as soon as the key is turned to POS II — meaning the sensor is always heated before the engine starts. Our controller avoids this by waiting for the ECU to command pre-heating after the engine is already running.
Digital Control Strategy
This controller uses an extremely accurate and robust all-digital control strategy, with a very fast response time of 10 ms. The power ground and analog output ground are separated, and since the analog ground is fed directly to the ECU, the signal the ECU receives is extremely accurate and noise-free. For those running wideband lambda control, this means you get the greatest amount of accuracy possible.
Installation Requirements
In order for this controller to be plug-and-play using the stock oxygen sensor connector, a modified tune must be flashed to the ECU and a single ECU pin must be bridged internally. The tune modification reconfigures the oxygen sensor pre-heater code so that the controller receives power only while the engine is running. The solder bridge connects the oxygen sensor signal ground pin to common sensor ground.
If ordered at the same time as a tune with wideband lambda control, we will modify your ECU for you. For those who already have a tune from us, we will send you an updated tune and instructions on how to bridge the pins.
Standalone / Bare-Wire Option
For those who wish to use this gauge without connecting to the Volvo narrowband oxygen sensor connector, we can provide the controller with no 4-pin connector — just bare wires. You will need to connect at least three wires (connection of the analog output is optional).
The controller also has an option for “smart” warm-up, where the sensor will not start pre-heating until the sensor temperature exceeds 350 °C. This is useful if the controller’s power isn’t controlled directly by the ECU.
Compatibility
When this controller is used along with wideband lambda control, it will completely replace the stock front oxygen sensor. The controller comes with a rear oxygen sensor connector by default. For cars that didn’t come with a rear oxygen sensor (markets outside of the USA), the connector can be plugged into the front oxygen sensor connector by simply cutting the alignment key on the side of the connector.
Further Reading
You can read more about wideband lambda control here.
