From the ecu code I got bad sensor 1, so I was expecting to replace it.
I took the car to my reliable mechanic, mainly for other reasons than the sensor.
He used a code reader and what he got was more information than I had from the ecu flash-codes. The reader said that one sensor was totally out, the other was pretty bad, and also that the ECT wasn't giving the correct reading.
He removed both oxygen sensors and cleaned them up. Apparently they were full of carbon and crap. He also cleaned the ECT.
Now the CEL is off, the temp gauge seems to be indicating temperatures more like what I expected, and the car is running great.
Therefore, especially if you're short of cash, CLEAN the sensors before replacing them!

Good idea, hopefully it'll work for me.

Good tip, worth a try I guess!

How did he clean the sensors??

With patience! Apparently they were practically solid with soot deposits. Cotton wool buds, toothpicks, and a good solvent?

There is no proper way to clean an o2 other than taking a torch to it to burn of the deposits. Any other method will SIGNIFICANTLY shorten the life of the sensor, especially using a solvent.

Yea most of times an o2 goes "bad" its clogged with carbon desposits, and prevents an acurate reading there for throwing a cel. Wouldnt hurt if we throw a code for o2, take it out, clean it up, spray some TB cleaner, use some compressed air and try to restore it back, unless its just dead.

compressed air? where the heck am i getting compessed air? AIr in a can? LMAO... The TB cleaner i can do.

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walmart - cambell hausfeld compressor 200 bucks....home depot air tool kit with 8 tools -- 150 bucks --- look on your face after pulling the trigger of the impact gun --- priceless

haha...you'll catch on...someday...

reading > me.


What is the solvant eating away at to shorten the life of the sensor?

lol i'm too cheap to get a compressor and air tools! The craftsman set sitting in my truck is my air tool. Guess my o2 sensors are staying dirty...its the rear o2 anywho...like i care how much o2 is in my exhaust...right?

I hear that buddy,

my question -> does the ECU throw a different code if the O2 sensor is dead verus just being clogged?

Also, I have an inspection coming up, I'd rather have an O2 sensor that works cause it was cleaned, maybe it has a shorter life, but it'll work for a while at least right?

I just pulled open my Service Manual and there is is one trouble code for the Rear Heated Oxygent Sensor (Rear HO2S) DTC PO136 (77)- The rear heated oxygen sensor, downstream threeway catalyst, monitors the oxygen level in the exhaust gas. This sensor is made of ceramic titania, the electric resistence of which drastically changes at the ideal air-fuel ratio. The output voltage is approximately 0 to 2.2v. The rear heated oxygen sensor is not directly used to control the engine sustem. It is used only for the on-board diagnosis of three way catalyst.

It seems like every single person on this site has a bad O2 and KS, or at least had them at some point. We need someone to figure out some hack with a resister or some kind of a secret freakin code for the computer or SOMETHING to make the ECU no longer care about that damn rear O2 sensor. The sensor is only there to please hippy idealistic tree huggers and has nothing to do with performance. I dont want to clean it, i dont want to pay $$ to replace it, i just want that damn thing to f'ing die and leave my MILF light alone. I mean MIL light.

I have the rear 02 sensor light on and all I do is ignore it. Sometimes the lights stays off but then it pops back up. Really annoying. Why change it if it doensn't do anything with mileage or power?

yeah, i have the same rear o2 sensor problem. i just flashed my ecu and its gone for now. wonder how long that will work.

. . . .for about 250 miles

LOL MILF light... i have one of those.