yes the engine would run. but it would not run closed loop. maybe thats the probelem. how hot is hot? it should go into closed loop within 5 or 6 min. max. MY OBD1(SBEC-2) goes into closed loop from a compltely cold state in about 4 min. if i had ran it that day or it was warm out (70+) it will go into closed loop in 1 min or less. i know that a 2000 pontiac grand am will go into closed loop from DEAD cold in about 6 seconds. so if you run your OBD-2 car for more than 5 min. and it still isn't in closed loop there is probably a problem there. basically the engine needs only a couple of sensors to run. Crank shaft position snesor, Cam shaft psoition sensor, and the MAP or MAF. with that much data the engine will run open loop and be barly drivable.
I figured the engine would run... When I tried to get the closed loop reading the engine was hot - I drove it to work and before I shut it off I plugged in the sensor and let it idle for a few mintes. The temp gage was right in the middle (I think 210 deg?). Unfortunatly, the reading I get is from when the engine is cold (coolant tem is reported at about 55 deg).
The engine, even when cold, runs smoothly. I don't have any notable power problems getting on the highway when it is hot or cold. The only thing I can point to is the OBD data and when I'm sitting at idle I can hear when I think may be an occasional miss (when the engine is hot or cold).
I can think of 2 possibilities -
1) The misfire only happens when the engine is cold. If this is the case, the data I have makes sense (i.e. I can't get a reading when the engine is hot). However, I can't figure out why it soulds like there is an occasionaly miss.
2) The OBD tool I've got sucks, and doesn't read well. If this is the case, I need a better tool that is more suited to this.
I am hesitant to assume it is the O2 sensor because there doesn't seem to be an impact on driveability...
I'll see if I can get a better scan tool...
JW
