Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting which oxygen sensor (HO2S)?

it looks like the remedy to a P1131 Lack of Switching - Lean condition reported by HO2S11 is to replace the sensor. i see that we have two sets, one upstream and one downstream pair per bank.

what suprised me was that when i called the local dealership's parts department, the guy said that there were a dozen different calibrations! i told him i wanted the upstream, bank1 sensor, but he said he couldn't tell me what i needed without a calibration number or part number! is there that much variation between the sensors used by the manual/automatic or the contour/cougar?

What? When I ordered my O2 from Bill Jenkins, all he needed to know was what model and year I had and which location I needed. Because that is what his computer asks for to pull up a P/N. This can't really be true, can it?

From www.fordpartsonline.com:

(Description) Electrical, Powertrain Control, Oxygen Sensor, 2.5L, Upstream
(List) $112.29
(Your price) $65.69

Only two choices under O2: upstream and downstream for 99 Cougar V6. If it needed a cal code, I bet they'd ask for a call.

I call BS on them!

The sensors' inards are all identical for any given model/year (they are usually used for many years and models, but may vary). The upstreams and downstreams will have different colored insulator sheaths (so that hopefully the guy in the plant won't cross-connect them), but it isn't critical to get the right color. Worst case, it might confuse the next person to work on them. Don't remove the sheaths or the engine heat is likely to damage the wires.

Oh, and be careful not to get any of the anti-seize from the threads on the sensor body--that can light the CEL.

seriously! i called Gary Starr today to confirm. he said that although the website only lists two parts, they need my calibration code, or better yet, the "engineering number" next to the sensor. crazy.

thanks for the tips on installation/removal!