Hi,

1997 SE. Engine is non-modded, bone stock. Today I get a CEL, codes 1/15 and 5/3. 1/15 Fuel INJ sys RT bank LEAN and 5/3 Front Right heated O2 SENSOR.

Now, the 1/15 code description reads like the O2 sensor can cause the INJ system to be lean, but in my reasoning the INJ system being lean could cause the O2 sensor to malfunction...

or am I completely misunderstanding this?

Anyone, please lend your thoughts if you understand this stuff. Whatever is wrong I gotta fix this myself, can't afford the stealership this close to xmas..

 

Sheesh, thats like The Chicken And the Egg sort of a deal.... I would say the Injector System To be lean, and then the o2 sensor went nuts.... I would first try some marvel mystery oil, or Sea Foam, Injector fuel additive etc... and see if that solves your problem, if it does, reset ecu and see if the O2 sensor comes back, If it does, replace it with a sensor from www.buyoxygensensors.com ... An OEM replacement is 63$ Shipped. If the additives dont fix your injector problem, I honestly dont know what to tell you, having little experience with injectors myself. Good Luck And i hope I shed a LITTLE LIGHT...
Kyle

 

Kyle,

thanks for the vote of confidence on the o2 sensor, that's where I'm tending to lean I believe.. I got the code earlier this afternoon and reset the CEL light and bang about an hour later it came back on, same codes.. 1/15 and 5/3.

I did have the battery disconnected for about 12 hours yesterday (took out the battery tray and sanded all the rusty paint off, repainted and put it back in).. Nothing there that could have done this, in fact I think having the battery out of the loop for that long would have cleared the ECU for sure. I'm guessing these are brand spanking new codes then.

One thing I don't understand about that site, is that they list Walker Bosch and Denso as OEM replacements... Do I need to get it out first and see which one I have and order the corresponding item, or will any of those 3 do?

??

 

First your sensor was starting to fail and this shows up as a lean condition. Fact is you are probably running rich as the ECU is trying to compensate. Once your sensor fails it gives the other code. I had the exact same thing happen. Replace the sensor, clear the ECU codes, and your problems will be gone.

 

Thanks for the advice.. I see for 7.50 more I can get it at Autozoned tonight, versus waiting until Wednesday for it to ship from www.buyoxygensensors.com via usps priority mail from ca. to il.

I see they have a socket kit to loan out for these puppies, so I'll see if I can get that from them too. I'm planning on putting the front end on ramps tonight and let it sit all night and cool down, then hit with some penetrating spray and go to work. I hope this isn't too hard.. shouldn't be. Then again, my Dad always said, "allow 2.5 times what you think it will take, just to be safe". Very true.

 

Well, I reset the ECU Codes last night for the 2nd time, and after 24 hours the codes have not come back. Was this a fluke? Perhaps the o2 is borderline?

I'm wondering if I shouldn't wait until I see it again to confirm, since it's been over a day and 100 miles since it last appeared.

What would your .org guys do? It's got 73k on it. All original sensors.

thanks

 

The o2 sensor code WILL come back, usually after you get on the car a few times, then the sensor will go nuts again. for the 60 bucks and half an hour it will cost you, change it. Your gas milage will vastly improve as well. I went to getting 250-270 a tank to getting 360 a tank. If you can't change an O2 sensor, you dont deserve to own a vehicle...

 

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Of course I can change it

If I thought I could get a few more months out of it before the code reappeared, I'd save the $$ for Xmas stuff and all, but alas it has come back..

I'll change in the morning before leaving the house... I managed to find it just by looking down by the bottom of the firewall on the rear 1,3,5 cylinder headers..

A new adventure, gotta love em' ..

thanks