ok so i just failed emisions for the second time after changing the 02 sensor first it was p0138 and now its p0141 an the sensor was brand new. The mechanic down at the shop kept telling me that my car was cali spec just cause the hoo i have on my car says that it passes cali and us regulations but the hood isnt off my car. is there a way to tell other than by just the cats on my car or no im confused about all that and do u think maybe i coul have just gotten a bad sensor from advance auto? thanks

 

Idk how he could tell by looking at the hood, as I dont think the hood has any identifiers on it, but if you look on the passenger side firewall (in the engine bay), there is a metal plate with numbers and letters on it. The top row is the VIN number, the second row is model info. The first five characters of the 2nd row are BLHUL. The 12th character is the destination:

N = Canada
V = California (Cali spec)
U = US, (fed spec)

Info like this can be found in the FAQ section: http://forums.maxima.org/707273-post4.html

 

ok i did that and it says that im a cali spec but i only have the 2 connectors in the front and i was told cali spec has the four connectors there under the hood in the front i mean

 

Only 99 cali spec had more o2 sensors.

 

If I remember correctly, 3 of the O2 sensor connectors on a CA spec Max are up front, with 1 on the back left by cylinder #1.

 

ok thanks guys i went to advance and they said they would exchange the one i have for free thinking maybe i just got a ba part gonna try that will let u know what happens any more helpful advice would be welcome

 

I have a 98 cali spec and the o2 sensors are the same as a fed spec. 99's have o2's in the y-pipe I believe which may be different.

 

another question is the heater circuit code only caused by the sennsor itself or could it another problem

 

Could be the fuse or wiring harness.

 

ok gonna sound like a stupid question how should i go about checking the harness out

 

Turn on cold engine, unplug sensor. see if you have 12V on the pins for the heater circuit. If not, and fuse is OK, there is some problem with the wiring.