sick of these god damn CEL's!!!!!!!

neon2ner · Post by **neon2ner** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:24 pm

hey guys,

i've honestly had it up to here with these upstream oxygen sensors going bad.

i put my 5th (yeah you read it right, 5th) upstream sensor in the car. the codes i was getting were:

P0131(M) 1/1 02 Sensor Shorted To Ground Oxygen sensor input voltage maintained below normal operating range (this one isn't on yet, but it has been on every other time, and i can assume it will be on next time i drive the car)

P0171(M) 1/1 Fuel System Lean A lean air/fuel mixture has been indicated by an abnormally rich correction factor.

so i have been replacing the upstream 02 sensor every time...this is the correct sensor to replace, right? the dealer replaced both a long time ago, but i have put 3 new upstream sensors in since then.

someone please help me before i drive the car off the bridge. kthxbai.

scott.

neon2ner · Post by **neon2ner** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:51 pm

anyone?

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 4:16 pm

Sounds to me like you're tackling the effects of the true problem, and not the problem itself. It sounds like you could have a short in your wiring to the sensor. Time to break out the multimeter. If the 02 really is dieing that quickly, its usually because you're running too rich. Check for a stuck injector, or maybe a bad map sensor. You might want to look for vacuum leaks while you're there.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 4:22 pm

Also, what brand O2 sensors are you getting? Honestly though it must be something causing the O2 to go bad.

neon2ner · Post by **neon2ner** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:22 pm

yeah, i figured its something fouling the sensors. i'm thinking it might be the wiring leading to the sensor. i took the map sensor out a little while ago and cleaned it, it was pretty dirty. though i might just need a new one.

i had an injection cleaning about 10 k ago, so i think i can rule that one out. though i can definitely check them to make sure.

one thing i realized today though, is that the first sensor the fouled on the car (which was probly just because of my milage, and the sensor just fouled cuz of its age) i replaced it myself. i remember that the wiring has a little plug attached to it (x-mas tree plug) that attached to the block somewhere to hold the sensor wiring away from the heat shield etc. i remember i couldn't find where to pop it back on, so i just made sure to tuck the wires away from the hot exhaust. i'm almost wondering it that's coming into play. i'll know more once i inspect the wiring more clearly.

any thoughts?

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:45 pm

That's where I would start first. Check for any slices in the insulation or damage from excess heat. It is high temp wire though, so it might be okay. I'd mostly be concerned about the connector. You can always unbolt your fuel rail and check if there is any debris on the end of the injectors.

neon2ner · Post by **neon2ner** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:41 pm

the connector as in the connector attaching the 02 sensor wiring to the 02 sensor itself, right? what should i be looking for in the connector?

i do plan on checking for splices in the lead wire, i'm guessing it will be in the first 12 inches of the wire, there's almost no way a splice could occur under the factory hockey-taped part of the wiring and loom

i will check the fuel rail as well, cuz it would be good to clean it out anyways. in addition, i might have to look into buying a new MAP as a precaution.

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:23 pm

I'd just see if its melted, and if the connecting pins are in good condition. As far as the map sensor, I had to replace min from Advance. It was like $90. I'd check around online for a better deal.