DIY Wideband Gauge
The well-known DIY-WB wideband sensor gauge kit is based on the original Honda VTEC version. Packaged in a pre-sorted kit, your job as a do-it-yourself worker is to carefully assemble, test, use and tweak the kit until it performs as expected. Making this kit entails a little understanding of circuit board layout, soldering techniques, and cutting and crimping.
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Things You'll Need
- WB kit circuit board
- WB kit diode, circuit and capacitor assortment
- WB 36531-P07-003 Honda oxygen sensor
- Sensor connector
- Drill
- Philips bit attachment
- 7/8 inch drill bit
- 1 inch drill bit
- 1/8 inch drill bit
- Rotary cutting tool
- Small workbox enclosure
- Heat sink paste
- 16 gauge stranded wire
- Wire harness pin connectors
- Pin connector crimp tool
- Seven-conductor quick disconnect harness plug
- Soldering iron
- Lead-free solder
- Wire snips
- 16 gauge ring terminal
- Wire strippers
- Wire crimp tool
- Self-tapping metal screw
- Philips screwdriver
Instructions
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1
Drill a seven-eighths-inch hole on the exhaust pipe close to where it enters the engine compartment. Thread the oxygen sensor into the hole, leaving the wire harness free for later access.
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2
Separate and identify all the parts in the kit. Match each diode, circuit and capacitor to the list of requirements on the schematic included with the kit.
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3
Drill out the corners of the circuit board prior to installing the components on the board. This helps to prevent breaking solder joints and stressing components.
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4
Heat up your soldering iron. Flip the kit's board over. Insert the small thin legs through the holes in the circuit board. Apply a small bead of the solder to the legs of the individual components on the circuit board, carefully following the schematic. Be sure to apply a thin coat of heat sink paste to the board for components R4 and U1, prior to installing.
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5
Cut a small square on one end of the upper portion of the workbox to accommodate the switch included with the kit.
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6
Drill out a one-eighth-inch hole next to the switch on the workbox enclosure for the LED indicator light. Slide the LED through the box. Press-fit it in place.
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7
Cut eight lengths of 16-gauge wire, approximately 6 inches long. Strip one-fourth of an inch of insulation from both ends of each wire.
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8
Solder the wires to the circuit board leading to the included LED indicator light, oxygen sensor and switch.
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9
Cut additional wires long enough to lead to the oxygen sensor you screwed to the exhaust pipe.
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10
Drill a 1-inch hole in the workbox on the opposite side of the LED and switch. Slide the wires soldered to the circuit board leading to the oxygen sensor through the hole.
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11
Strip one-half of an inch of insulation from all the wires leading to the oxygen sensor. Crimp a harness pin connector to each wire. Place the bare wire in the upper crimp and the insulation in the lower.
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12
Push the appropriate wires into the spots in the seven conductor harness clip, corresponding with the wires in the harness leading from the oxygen sensor.
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13
Route the wire harness through an existing grommeted hole in the vehicle's firewall. Drop the harness through the engine bay away from excessively hot components. Clip the harness to the oxygen sensor.
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14
Route the power wire loading from the sensor box to a 5-amp fuse in the vehicle's fuse box. Strip one-half an inch from this wire. Slide the bare wire under one of the spades on the fuse. Re-insert the fuse into the holder.
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15
Route the ground wire to a section of bare sheet metal close to the intended installation spot of the sensor's enclosure. Strip one-fourth of an inch of insulation from this wire. Crimp a 16-gauge ring terminal to this wire. Screw the ground wire to the bare metal.
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16
Screw the circuit board to the mounting plate included with the workbox, using the support stanchions.
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17
Turn on the vehicle. Wait 30 to 45 seconds, watching for the LED light to turn on.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Check the gauge's findings by connecting the output wires of the unit to the appropriate screw terminals on the data acquisition kit. Plug this kit into the USB port on a laptop to find your oxygen readings.
References
Resources
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