O2 sensor replacement

[ARB1977]

How often do you guys replace your o2 sensors? For the Tacoma 3.4L i was reading and said to replace the sensor every 75K on a website 4x4 wire. My gas milage has somewhat droped and have done all the major service, cleaned the tb and mass air flow. Thanks.

 

[NYEngineer]

It's probably about time. I changed the rear ones on my Yukon at 100,000 because I was getting a code. Now at 202,000 I just changed all four. What a difference. I should have swapped all four the first time, but I have four and they're 70 bucks apiece.

 

[daman]

Yes they do get "lazy" and not read right after a long time,
i'd change it, i do mine every 60-70ish thousand miles..

 

[MaximaGuy]

Usually O2 sensors last 80K miles but if you have faulty coils etc, they can foul out pretty early.

80-100K is all that you can get off the sensors, you are better off replacing them if you have 80K on them, they actually get lazy before throwing the code, you can recover the O2 cost with better MPG.

 

[ARB1977]

Thanks guys.

 

[ARB1977]

Is it necessary to pull the EFI fuse when replacing the sensor? I dont have a scan tool in case the check engine light comes on afterwards.

 

[MaximaGuy]

Disconnect battery for the night.. all codes will be gone...

 

[alanu]

If your getting 10+ cross counts in 10 seconds with a good sweep from .1V to .9 Volts YOU DO NOT NEED TO CHANGE the oxygen sensor.

 

[ARB1977]

Quote:

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Disconnect battery for the night.. all codes will be gone...

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Thanks maximaguy.

 

[ARB1977]

Quote:

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If your getting 10+ cross counts in 10 seconds with a good sweep from .1V to .9 Volts YOU DO NOT NEED TO CHANGE the oxygen sensor.

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Thanks alanu,
It would be nice to buy one of those fancy scan tools.

 

[NYEngineer]

I have a pretty good one. Only cost 129 bucks. I figure it paid for itself after I used it twice.

 

[brianl703]

You can also use a digital multimeter with a bargraph display to see how fast the O2 sensor is switching. You'll have to connect it directly to the O2 sensor.

 

[MaximaGuy]

I would strongly recommend buying from www.ngk.com

The O2s come with end connectors (no stripping/slicing) and I went the NGK way since the OEM Bosch was 50% more expensive.

I have had the NGK for 40K miles and they are going strong!!!

 

[Kestas]

I understand that universal sensors are the same as their regular counterparts except that they lack the model-specific connectors.

Aside from titania/zirconia, and 2-, 3-, and 4-wire connections, are there any other variables that define an O2 sensor for an application?

 

[brianl703]

There are planar and thimble type O2 sensors. Planar type are newer and heat up quicker. I believe these were introduced in the late 90s.

 

[454MAG]

NY engineer -- the front 02s are the only ones that affect drivability the rears just monitor the catalyst efficiency and are only for emission test purposes. I do not run the rear 02s on my chevy and just turn them off in the ECM.

 

[NYEngineer]

How do you do that?? Is there a dip switch or do I have to remove the computer and have it flashed??

 

[mechtech2]

You can also make or buy a resistor/capacitor pack that will eliminate the need for the second O2 sensor, without any electrical programming to disable the check engine light that would normally occur.
Google MIL eliminators for the O2.

 

[Colt45ws]

You mean this? http://colt45.ws/misc/02sensor_wiring.jpg

 

[MaximaGuy]

Don't waste ur time on these electrical engg / O2 simulator solns. I have wasted my time on it.. eventually you will give up when the heater ckt code gets logged and you DMV renewal is round the cornor.

Just buy a new O2 sensor, plug it in and call it a day. Don't have to think about it for a very long time.