O2 sensor help...

[Hozer 88GTConv]

I can't bypass that connector.
I wired the corresponding signal wires from both 02's directly to their corresponding wires past the connector on the strut tower.
That isn't working. I get voltage right at the newly severed wire ends showing how bloody rich I'm running, but for some reason, that doesn't translate directly to a signal to the computer.
Does the connector do something else, besides the obvious?
Yes, I know nothing about electricity.