Oxygen Sensor Question
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Woodlands TX
Oxygen Sensor Question
I have a 96 C4 and the "Service Engine Soon" light came on yesterday. I stopped by NTB and they plugged in the diagnostic unit which read Oxygen Sensor right bank. I called Auto Zone and they advised me 2 sensors on each bank, one before and one after the Cat. I checked some other threads here and it appears that my 96 is different than most C4's with the 2 additional sensors after the Cat. Should I just replace the one before the Cat or is it going to require me to replace both?
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
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From: Valencia PA
I have heard that as a part of a tune up it is recomended to replace the O2 sensors every 30K. If you have a lot of miles on your car (100k) I might replace them. But for the money I would say "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Don't shoot the messenger! Follow the trouble shooting chart in your FSM to locate the cause of the light and the reason for the code. Just because the computer triggered the light from info the O2 sent, doesn't mean that the O2 is bad. What the O2 sent, MAY have been the correct info for a condition with an outside cause.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
Don't shoot the messenger! Follow the trouble shooting chart in your FSM to locate the cause of the light and the reason for the code. Just because the computer triggered the light from info the O2 sent, doesn't mean that the O2 is bad. What the O2 sent, MAY have been the correct info for a condition with an outside cause.
RACE ON!!!
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This is true. The O2 sensor could just have a silicon coating over it causing the SES light. How does the car run now? On my 95 I had a left front O2 sensor fail on me one time. It would idle fine but drove like it had a miss. Black smoke would come from the left muffler with a odd smell. I didn't troubleshoot the problem and just replaced the O2 sensor and it worked. IMO it is easier to get a scan done to see the voltage the O2 is sending the PCM than check it with a voltmeter. It should be in a range of .1v to .9v.
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From: Woodlands TX
Just gonna replace it
I picked up the sensor and the local shop said they were would install it and only charge $20 which is well worth it for me. I will let you know how it turns out. I am going to get it done during lunch today.
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Did you get the O.E.M. AC/Delco/Delphi sensor of the cheapie Bosch AutoZone special? I've heard the Denso or AC/Delco/Delphi sensors are better performers.
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Shop around for the best prices, but I plan on purchasing mine from http://www.buyautoparts.com/gm-parts/
They even have free shipping for orders over $50. They carry Denso and A/C Delco/Delphi, too!
They even have free shipping for orders over $50. They carry Denso and A/C Delco/Delphi, too!
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From: Woodlands TX
I will confess that I bought the Bosch sensor. Ripley's Muffler installed it this morning and so far so good. The Service soon light has not returned and the vehicle is running like a champ.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Gainesville, FL
Did anyone pay attention to see if the 02 sensor had any oil on it? - I lost 2 right side 02s to an oil leak... now it has a heat shield around it and since then no problems at all... - - - aside from that... it is VERY easy to install the 02 sensor yourself in just a few minutes... disconnect the battery and get under the car (jack and stands of course) with a 22mm shorty (I think that is the right size anyway)... - - - otherwise you may never hear about those kinds of issues... not that I necessarily think oil is your problem, but if it goes again soon you'll probably want to find out why it has gone bad...
Last edited by 4REGT4; May 15, 2006 at 02:41 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by hman1987
I will confess that I bought the Bosch sensor. Ripley's Muffler installed it this morning and so far so good. The Service soon light has not returned and the vehicle is running like a champ.
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From: Woodlands TX
There wasn't any oil when I looked at it while it was on the rack. And now I know the motto here...."Bosch Bad....Delco Good". If the Bosch sensor fails it is my fault. I did not know at the time I bought it.
Last edited by hman1987; May 15, 2006 at 03:31 PM. Reason: Typo
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From: Woodlands TX
Ok, well everything was fine for about a month then I lost the second sensor behind the cat (Bank 2- Position 2). I replaced and all was good for about three days and the SES indicated that the front one (Bank 2-Position 1) had faild - low voltage. I do have a small oil leak however it does not appear to anywhere near the O2 sensor and the leak is very small. The SES seems to go on and off when it wants to. I can park the vehicle overnight with the SES on when I park and in the morning after a few minutes the SES will turn off for a while and then come back on. Should I try replacing the front O2 again or is there something I should look at first?
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From: Woodlands TX
Don't buy Bosch O2 sensors!!!
Ok. I think the problem is solved. I wound up replacing the Bosch sensors I bought from Auto Zone with AC Delco sensors from the Chevy dealership. She appears to be happy again and running the way she should.
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Again, go with Denso or AC/Delco-Delphi. You get what you pay for, but for some reason, the Bosch 02 sensors do not tend to fare well for long with LT1 and LT4 engines like they do the L98s.
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From: Woodlands TX
Problem is back AGAIN
After replacing the O2 sensors twice, the last time with AC Delco sensors from the dealership I am getting error code P0154 indicating that there is no output from the sensor in position one bank two. It must be in the wiring or the connection with the new sensor. The car ran fine for about three days before the light came back one. On the 4th I am going to jack her back up and check the connection and try to inspect the wires the best I can.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by RRT vette
I would replace the O2 sensor on the right before the cat. This is usually the one that contols A/F ratio. IMO
If I misinterpreted your post...sorry in advance!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by hman1987
After replacing the O2 sensors twice, the last time with AC Delco sensors from the dealership I am getting error code P0154 indicating that there is no output from the sensor in position one bank two. It must be in the wiring or the connection with the new sensor. The car ran fine for about three days before the light came back one. On the 4th I am going to jack her back up and check the connection and try to inspect the wires the best I can.
check your connector carefully, I let a shop replace mine ONCE, and they bent a pin in the O2 sensor connector.....and like you said, check the that the wiring harness is not resting against exhaust pipe...Good Luck!