teeezmaxSE

I'm looking to change my O2 sensor rather than paying someone to do it.
I read the How Tos and was wondering, what is the Upstream and downstream O2s? Where are they located? The one that I think is causing the issue is the one that is in the middle of the car. Thats the one that has no ground connected to the car. In a recent post, I mentioned that the ground wire of an O2 sensor used to be connected to a bracket that held the muffler in place, however, that bracket rusted off. So, Now there is no ground wire for it. So, I'm thinking of changing that one. I would also like to make sure that I'm changing the right one. The guy at the garage told me that it was the O2 in Bank 1 Sensor 1. Can someone tell me where that is located? Pictures would be good but any detailed info that would help me would be great!! Also, what is Anti-Seize? (Was in the How Tos). I have the Haynes manual but thats too confusing.

Any and all info would be great for me!!

teeezmaxSE

Oh, I forgot...

Is there a specific O2 sensor that I have to buy? Certain Models/Make?

njmodi

iTrader: (4)

Go to oxygensensors.com - pick up their Bosch Sensor.
Here is a link showing your the location of the sensors:

http://www.courtesyparts.com/A32_O2-sensors.html

What code did the ECU report (i.e. the CEL)? From that you can determine which sensor needs to be replaced. Bank 1 Sensor 1 is not the typical way each of these sensors is described, its usually front heated left, or front heated right or rear sensor.

Anti-seize compound comes in a tube, you apply it to the threads of various bolts/sensors that screw in that you don't want rusting stuck, i.e. become difficult to remove later. If you order the parts from the website I mentioned, the sensors will be shipped with anti-seize pre applied (at least mine had it like that).

Not much more to say about this... if you are still confused/not sure how to do this, you may want o find a local org member who will do it for you for a fee - that way you can watch and learn and get experience. Its the only way to learn this stuff. Once you get comfortable with a few things/terminology/car parts - the manuals will start making much more sense.

Good luck.

mkothari

I also have oxygen sensor prolem codes P0158 and P0159. ( which refer to rear left bank2 oxygen sensor).

A dealer told me that I may need to change both the sensors and
REPROGRAM ECM.

Does anybody have any idea ?

Thanks

-Mahendra Kothari

teeezmaxSE

This is what the codes came out to be:

P0150---->03 03 Front Left Heated O2 sensor
P0325---->03 04 Knock Sensor
P0130---->05 03 Front Right Heated O2 sensor

So, would this be considered as Bank 1 Sensor 1?

Do I have to change two of the or just one?

njmodi

iTrader: (4)

These codes suggest that both your front O2 sensors are bad. Typically replacing these and resetting the ECU should take care of the problems. The knock sensor code is often reported when the O2 sensors fail.

See the picture in the link I included in my earlier post to see the location of the two front sensors (they are in the y-pipe).

teeezmaxSE

Thanks NJMODI..


Definitely good information. They are both in the Y-Pipe, Is this fairly easy? Unscrew, pullout, connect connectors and thats it?

THT

iTrader: (8)

Yep, easy to do. Before I did that, the most I'd done with my car was change the oil. I wrote the how-to so if you have any questions about the directions, lemme know.

~THT

teeezmaxSE

Hey THT,

Yeah i printed that out this morning.. that was before I knew anything about it. But after reading everything here and the net, your instructions make sense..

Thanks!!!!

mkothari

Member NJMODI,
I live in NJ and would love to get some help to change my o2 sensor.
I have codes P0158 and P0159 (In service manual it referes to rear heated oxygen sensor (California emission).



One dealer told me I have to reprogram ECU.
What is that ? is it resetting ECU.

I am totally confused with this.

Last time I paid dealer $750 to change one bad ignition coil and he changed all of them ( I dont know why they cant figure out bad one)


-Mahendra

teeezmaxSE

I was reading the Haynes this morning regarding changing the O2 sensors. IT was telling me this and that about checking the voltage, using the volt meter for this and that. Is that necessary? I am assuming that this is something like, unplug, disconnect, replug and connect and done..

Am I wrong here...?


Thanks everyone

P.S. Also, This is for the Front, Left and Right O2 Sensors.. (Is this known as the upstream)?

njmodi

iTrader: (4)

It is as you say, unplug, disconnect, replace with new and connect.

Front is the same as upstream.

ogparjay

ha! if it were only that easy like plug and play. the o2 sensors before the cat are easily taken off but the one after the cat; sometimes it's weilded on because of the extreme heat. need a lot of leverage and wd40.

njmodi

iTrader: (4)

Yes you are correct about the rear O2 sensor being rust-welded on and sometimes needing a torch to break free (although if you let it soak in PB Blaster for a few hours I'm sure that would work wonders too). My comments were specific to the front sensors - which is what the original poster was asking about.

teeezmaxSE

Thanks Everyone..
I'm going to go and try to find a cheap O2 online somewhere.. ANy hints?

Thanks for everyone's input!

THT

iTrader: (8)

www.oxygensensors.com is where I get mine; Mike's (sales manager) a great guy to work with.

~THT

njmodi

iTrader: (4)

to the site mentioned above. I just ordered mine from their website last year - came quickly, no hiccups. I ordered the Bosch OEM equivalents.

njmodi

iTrader: (4)