Installed headers now I have problems, HELP!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Installed headers now I have problems, HELP!
I put in my headers a couple months ago and my car kinda backfires when I downshift sometimes. I have a check engine light with these codes and I assume it because I'm not running cats or rear O2's. I currently have TR55 plugs in it but I don't think thats the problem. Any help or ideas guys?
These are the codes:
P0160 O2S
P1133 HO2S
P1153 HO2S
These are the codes:
P0160 O2S
P1133 HO2S
P1153 HO2S
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Fort Wayne IN
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Make sure your oxygen sensor wiring didn't get switched up. If they're corssed on the wrong sides, it'll play havoc with how the car runs.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,731
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From: New Market AL
Do you have any leaks in the exhaust system? If the header is leaking right at the head, there will be a ticking sound, somewhat like a loose rocker arm. It may be a little harder to hear a leak down under the car. Also make sure that your plug wires are properly seated on the plugs and coils.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
It is almost guaranted that you get a CEL after a header install.
The time to get the exhaust gases to the 2nd O2 sensors is different after a header install.
You need to either get O2 sims or find a tuner to program out the CEL
The time to get the exhaust gases to the 2nd O2 sensors is different after a header install.
You need to either get O2 sims or find a tuner to program out the CEL
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 436
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From: copperas cove tx
For the codes, sounds like left bank cat and right bank cat. I don't know the codes, but I had mine done a few months back and got those codes. Best way to do it is to get get a tune bro and have them turn the rear O2 sensors off. That's what I had done to mine, and all was well. I also had the corsa pace car and some small cracks as I let off the gas which I am told is unburnt fuel since I had no more cats. SO, just go get yourself a tune and have those rear 02's turned off. YOu should be good to go then
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
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From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Crossed front O2 sensors will be charachterized by about 1-2 minutes of normal running after startup followed by severe "tractoring" with virtually no power and extremely rough idle. If you leave the car running in gear the car will eventually kick back to a based fuel map (running rich)
make sure you're front O2 sensors are left to left and right to right. Also the installation of headers usually pushes old O2 sensors to their braking point. O2 sensors are like batteries: they get weaker and weaker before failing completely. If you're o2 sensors were Factory OEM, headers will most likey be the final blow.
make sure you're front O2 sensors are left to left and right to right. Also the installation of headers usually pushes old O2 sensors to their braking point. O2 sensors are like batteries: they get weaker and weaker before failing completely. If you're o2 sensors were Factory OEM, headers will most likey be the final blow.
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St. Jude Donor '17
I put in my headers a couple months ago and my car kinda backfires when I downshift sometimes. I have a check engine light with these codes and I assume it because I'm not running cats or rear O2's. I currently have TR55 plugs in it but I don't think thats the problem. Any help or ideas guys?
These are the codes:
P0160 O2S
P1133 HO2S
P1153 HO2S
These are the codes:
P0160 O2S
P1133 HO2S
P1153 HO2S
Are you using 02 simulators?
Did you have your rear 02 sensors programmed out?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 60
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From: Las Vegas Nevada
I will definately have to check my O2 wires and I just bought a FAST 78 and wanted to install it before my tune (which I will be getting immediately after the intake swap). I am currently running O2 sims but they really didn't do jack. I just bought new plugs but it seems like nobody thinks thats the problem so I will go get my 80 bucks back for the TR55's I just bought! I will check my O2 wires and hopefully I wont have to buy new ones. Theres no way for my O2 wires to get crossed because I didn't even unplug the old ones from the connectors when I did my header swap. Good Advice, Good People, GREAT CARS.
Cheers, Ricky
Cheers, Ricky
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,272
Likes: 54
From: W. Jefferson OH
I will definately have to check my O2 wires and I just bought a FAST 78 and wanted to install it before my tune (which I will be getting immediately after the intake swap). I am currently running O2 sims but they really didn't do jack. I just bought new plugs but it seems like nobody thinks thats the problem so I will go get my 80 bucks back for the TR55's I just bought! I will check my O2 wires and hopefully I wont have to buy new ones. Theres no way for my O2 wires to get crossed because I didn't even unplug the old ones from the connectors when I did my header swap. Good Advice, Good People, GREAT CARS.
Cheers, Ricky
Cheers, Ricky
You will need to take your rear o2's and plug them into the frot o2 harness with the adaptors and you will plug your simms into the rears. It sounds like you have the 02's installed wrong, they will not create an x w/ lt's compared to stock, right side to right side/left side to left side. I had the exact same thing when I installed mine and that was the problem.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville Florida
I put in my headers a couple months ago and my car kinda backfires when I downshift sometimes. I have a check engine light with these codes and I assume it because I'm not running cats or rear O2's. I currently have TR55 plugs in it but I don't think thats the problem. Any help or ideas guys?
These are the codes:
P0160 O2S
P1133 HO2S
P1153 HO2S
These are the codes:
P0160 O2S
P1133 HO2S
P1153 HO2S
P1133 HO2S Insufficient switching Bank 1 Sensor 1
P1153 HO2S Insufficient switching bank 2 sensor 1
These 2 are front 02 codes, and need to be addressed
You need to check the wiring on your front 02's, if they are wired up correctly chances are youll need to replace them before you get it tuned.
Also, check the wiring in the connectors and the wires themselves, if you didnt unplug them when you unscrewed them out of the pipe's then you would have had to twist them up quite a bit, may have stressed/broken wire's
Last edited by euro@EFIAlchemy.com; Jan 23, 2008 at 11:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
P0160 02 circuit insufficient activity bank 2 sensor 2 (rear 02 your tuner will fix this)
P1133 HO2S Insufficient switching Bank 1 Sensor 1
P1153 HO2S Insufficient switching bank 2 sensor 1
These 2 are front 02 codes, and need to be addressed
You need to check the wiring on your front 02's, if they are wired up correctly chances are youll need to replace them before you get it tuned.
Also, check the wiring in the connectors and the wires themselves, if you didnt unplug them when you unscrewed them out of the pipe's then you would have had to twist them up quite a bit, may have stressed/broken wire's
P1133 HO2S Insufficient switching Bank 1 Sensor 1
P1153 HO2S Insufficient switching bank 2 sensor 1
These 2 are front 02 codes, and need to be addressed
You need to check the wiring on your front 02's, if they are wired up correctly chances are youll need to replace them before you get it tuned.
Also, check the wiring in the connectors and the wires themselves, if you didnt unplug them when you unscrewed them out of the pipe's then you would have had to twist them up quite a bit, may have stressed/broken wire's
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: Dallas Texas
Do you have any leaks in the exhaust system? If the header is leaking right at the head, there will be a ticking sound, somewhat like a loose rocker arm. It may be a little harder to hear a leak down under the car. Also make sure that your plug wires are properly seated on the plugs and coils.
If its not your wires, definitely look into your seals. Perhaps they stripped out a screw and you have a slight leak? I had this issue when I got my Corsa exhaust installed. My check engine light would come on and it ended up being a leak. Good Luck! 
