Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Oxygen sensor?

Well my CEL has been coming on and off for a couple of weeks now. It died on me one time when I came to a full stop, but started back again. But lately my idle has been a little crazy, acting like it always wants to die. I did the searches and there were mentioned of maybe the fuel filter, maybe the IAC.., so finally had it scanned at Autozone. These are what codes they gave me ( and looked up the codes ):

P0133-upstream heated oxygen sensor circuit slow response - bank no. 1
P0171-system too lean - bank no. 1

and at another AZ:
P1131-lack of upstream heated oxygen sensor switch-sensor indicates lean- bank no. 1

the guy from AZ said I need some oxygen sensors, and maybe have to be taken in because of the "bank no. 1" issue.

What are you're take on this. Based on these codes, do the oxygen sensors seem to be the culprit. Or do I need to take my '98 CSVT in and end up costing me an arm and a leg. I'm not good at these kinds of stuff so any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Replace the bank 1 (firewall) sensor.

If you have similar issues afterward, clean the IAC and look for vacuum leaks.

There are four oxygen sensors. The one you want to replace is the one that usually fails first - the upstream bank 1 sensor. It is on the exhaust manifold between the engine and the firewall. The slow response code means it's wearing out.

oohh i just replaced this upstream O2 sensor yesterday. i folloed the how to on the main page, its really easy if you have the tools. I also took pictures, step by step. i will post tomorrow if you need them.

Well that how-to is not the same as the how to on the main page. it seems as though with this how to you unscrew it from the bottom. that was such a PITA for me. i must have been trying for at least 2 hours trying to figure it out from the bottom.

I saw the How-to on the Main site

"This replacement is moderately easy with some patience and skinny arms/hands. There isn?t much room to work and not much room to maneuver the wiring harness out of the way, but just enough to make this possible.

1) Remove spark plug wires (taking note of their original orientation or firing order).
2) Remove coil pack (four bolts) (also take note of the two ground wires connected to the front two bolts)
3) With the spark plug wires off, and coil pack removed, you can see a black molded wiring harness secured by two nuts. Remove these two nuts, and wiggle the wiring harness out of the way. (This harness will not move too far, but enough to maneuver your hands in there).
4) From here you can see the 02 sensor below the harness. Unplug the connector for the 02 at the top of the harness.
5) Using the 22mm wrench loosen and remove the 02 sensor and replace.
6) After tightening sensor and connecting to the wiring harness; place the harness back to original position and tighten nuts. (Just a suggestion while having the coil pack removed, it?s not a bad idea to clean the coil pack and plug wires before putting everything back toghter).
7) Clear Codes/Reset PCM

"

i put the socket on the sensor, moved the harness out of the way and with a 18" long 1" wrench turned the socket, the wrench comes up above the UIM.

i bought the o2 sensor socket for 9.99 at sears its made by LISLE, and after i started it took me 30 mins of visualizing how the how-to was intended, and BAM 45 more mins and i was done with removal and install.
i didnt bring my camera in to work or else i would post them. ill try to do it tomorrow.

but be ready to get your forearms squeezed

Here you go!! hopefully the pics make sense





















This is how the sensor and the socket will look like when between the block and the firewall

some guys have said they rent a free 02 sensor tool kit from autozone? is this true. my o2 sensor arrives monday.