O2 sensor......what the??

[Jetblack95]

Intersting, i have a 1995 318Is with a manual transmission. I needed a new O2 sensor so i ordered one from the local store. When it came in, the connector is different. So i call them back and i compare it to one meant for the auto tranny car. And thats the one with the same connector as mine.

This leans me to believe my car was subject to a Auto/Manual Swap. Is there anyway i can check on this? i have the Vin and Everything necessary but i don't think it comes up in that.

Also, if i'm running a manual tranny on an Auto O2 sensor am i going to run into issues?? Thanks for the help Guys!

[luckytopher]

an o2 is an o2... shouldn't matter manual/auto.... take your vin and put it in realoem.com and see if it detects it as auto/man

[Jetblack95]

tried, it detects everything but the auto/manual, it leaves me to choose that

[OldCarGuy]

I knew that there is a difference in the length of the wire between an auto and manual sensor, but not that the connector is different. I forget which one is longer, though.

[E36Guy]

It could just be that the 02 sensor has been changed before and the person that did it last put the wrong one in.. :confused It could be that way.

[Jetblack95]

no, the actual connector is different. The manual has a straight female connector with 4 small inserts. The Auto has a round exterrior connector with a small female inside with 4 larger holes for connection from the vehicle. I called the autoparts store and had them describe the connector on the Auto 02 sensor and it is the same as the one in my vehicle.

gotta remember i'm in a 318 so things might be slightly different.

[tomt30273]

tried, it detects everything but the auto/manual, it leaves me to choose that

Okay, let me get this straight. You went to realoem.com. At the top where it says "serial number" next to a box and the word search, you put your last 7 digits of your VIN number in and clicked search? Actually, it is 2 letters and 5 numbers. That is strange, works for me every time, including date of manufacture and transmission type.

[scooter086]

Okay, let me get this straight. You went to realoem.com. At the top where it says "serial number" next to a box and the word search, you put your last 7 digits of your VIN number in and clicked search? Actually, it is 2 letters and 5 numbers. That is strange, works for me every time, including date of manufacture and transmission type.

yeah, i was going to sugguest realoem.com as well, as it tells me the production date and transmission as well

[dave45056]

You can also e-mail bmw with your vin number and they will tell you. Takes a day or so, or you can call them.
e-mail address is productquestions@bmwusa.com
phone is 1-800-831-1117
good luck
-Dave

[dave45056]

Actually, to use e-mail go to: http://www.bmwusa.com/Contact/ContactBmw.htm

There you fill out all the information and can ask questions about your car. Doesn't matter if you bought it new or not and it's free. The return e-mail will come from the e-mail address I posted before. I'm not sure if sending an e-mail to that address will work.

[Jetblack95]

thanks!