Beware AEM AFR Sensor kits with Fake Failure prone Bosch Sensors

[zKars]

I have been bitten several times now (you'd think I'd learn...) by oxygen sensors that fail in the first few hours of life. 

I typically buy the AEM 30-4110 kit from Amazon, good price, shows up quick, blah blah. After a few rapid sensor failures, and me telling AEM, and them quickly sending new sensors under warrantee, and me going and buying "real"  (more real??) Bosch sensors, I now have some details to report so you can determine if you get similar "bad" sensors.

[zKars]

So lets show the real vs fakes.

Here are the two business ends. Bosch on the left, fake on the right.

The Bosch sensor has that graduated heat coloring, a zip tii holding the sheath material over the accordion boot. 

The fake is shiny polished. And has no markings. The Bosch sensor has the markings you'd expect

Lastly the wiring length of Bosch sensor is much longer.

 

 

[madkaw]

I had issues with an AEM wideband myself . The O2 sensor was bad and the gauge would go full lean after running the engine for juts a minute . They send me another one and mad me cut the old one in half and send them a pic of it cut in half . Got another sensor - same freaking thing . This time they said they wouldn’t warranty it - only get one sensor . Googled all this and read of the many complaints of customers . Bought a different brand sensor and no issues 

[grannyknot]

AEM was a low cost alternative 15-20 yrs ago, they've been going down hill since then, their digital gauges are junk as well.  I guess it's the Amazon business model, keep selling the same inferior stuff and most people will just throw it out and not complain.

[zKars]

I agree. Time to find a better alternative. 

Even their pictures on the amazon page that show various shots of the equipment, shows one with the Bosch sensor, and one with the fake. 

During one of my discussions with AEM, they said “whatever is shown on our website is exactly what you get” and they had inconsistent pictures then as well. 

Just looking today they show a clearly non-bosch sensor FAE brand, and bosch depending on where you look. 

To be fair, I purchased their 30-0319 X series controller for use in my latest EFI project and it came with a Bosch sensor, and has been working great all summer. It’s the one that just has the little controller box inline, no gauge, and you use it’s CAN bus (or analog) output to feed into your ECU for AFR data.

I have also purchased stand alone Bosch sensors from Amazon and gotten the real thing at a decent price. This is typically what I buy to replace the shitty AEM sensor. 

 

[Zed Head]

Looks like they sold out to the Holley conglomerate.  It's the way the industry is going.  Once the big guys own them the cost-cutting starts.  Some of the smaller names seemed to benefit but I think that in the end everything averages out to mediocre.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/aem-performance-electronics/

https://www.holley.com/logos/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holley_Performance_Products

in 2018, Lincolnshire Equity IV, L.P. sold Holley to Sentinel Capital Partners who merged the company with its Driven Performance Brands

[AK260]

Looks like they sold out to the Holley conglomerate.  It's the way the industry is going.  Once the big guys own them the cost-cutting starts.  Some of the smaller names seemed to benefit but I think that in the end everything averages out to mediocre.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/aem-performance-electronics/
https://www.holley.com/logos/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holley_Performance_Products
in 2018, Lincolnshire Equity IV, L.P. sold Holley to Sentinel Capital Partners who merged the company with its Driven Performance Brands

Really well put! Being in Financial Services, I see this all the time. Especially when the Private Equity and Venture Capitalists get stuck in. It’s all about ROE and ROCE rather than maintaining brand values / quality is an after thought.

The R is return which by definition means profit and if you’re not raising prices or organic market share the you get it through cost cutting. All acquisitions must be seen to add synergistic value and better returns and the fastest way to make a CEO look good for their acquisition is to cut cost. “Cost of quality” AKA returns rarely makes it to shareholder reporting ;)

Now then back on topic. I’m now worried !! Will report back when I get mine.

[AK260]

So gang mine arrived today via Amazon - happy to report the Innovate one seems to be genuine!