Quick lambda sensor question

[RobinJI]

Is one Bosch 4 wire narrowband lambda basically the same as another? I've just gone to change my sciroccos one and the one I've been solds got a different plug on it to the one on the car. I know the sensible things to return it and get the right one, but it's Sunday, and the fact the new one came with a new loom half to the plugs got me thinking I might just swap the plug over and use it anyway.

Silly idea or workable?

Thanks in advance guys.

[bobman]

Once the wire colours match and you know which wire is which then you can, I usually pick up a universal bosch o2/lambda sensor from the motor factor anytime I've needed one, last time OEM cost €395 so I got a bosch universal for €80 and it done the job grand

[welshpug]

only difference you might find usually is lead length and heater wattage, typically they all work on a 0-1v scale so most are compatible, that's what I can figure anyway!

[RobinJI]

Good times thanks guys. I thought that was the case, just wanted to check. It's fitted now, and the lead length was indeed different, but in a very useful way, the old one was a bit stretched so had to take a horrid route, the new one was much longer and fits perfectly following the rest of the loom neatly. Win! Just need to test drive it and see if the new lambda and a spare MAF have sorted it.

[RobinJI]

Yep, worked perfectly, MPG's back where it should be firmly in the high 30's driving normally or low 40's if I'm careful with the loud pedal. It had dropped down to 24 average recently rather than the 37 it used to be! The engine feels happier too.

[retrowrongun]

Worth noting on a 4 wire 02 sensor the two wires that are same colour are the heater wires. And most lambda s will do even the generic ones ,either way nice to hear you sorted it