Swishh

Hi all,

I am in need of your expertise. I just got a cel and the code said it was bank1 sensor1 of my oxygen sensors. I took it to a shop to have the repair labor estimated and the mechanic told me that it wasnt a o2 sensor that needed to be replaced but it was a more expensive "air meter" that needed to be replaced. I was hoping to use a universal 4 wire oxygen sensor like I have seen in posts here (Denso universal 4-wire part number 234-4209). Will this work for my situation?

He also told me that my 2002 sc430 has 4 oxygen sensors??? Is that true? If I use the universal denso sensors will it work for all 4 if I splice them in?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

talwang

iTrader: (4)

yup, 4 O2 sensors.
The universal ones are cheaper, but require wire cutting/splicing.
Most shops want you to get the oem ones because they are plug and play. That make the job much easier for them, but costs you more.

VVTiBob

Do you know the error code? It could have been P0130 thru 161. I may be able to find its diagnostic and provide some further guidance. And yes, there are four o2 sensors. BTW how did your mechanic determine it was the air flow meter. Was the engine warm or cold? Did he use a volt ohm meter to measure the resistance between the THA and ETHA terminals? Did you check for loose/damaged wire harnesses?

A mass air flow meter malfunction code would be P0100 to 110.

Swishh

Thanks for the reply guys! I cant remember the exact cel I got but I do remember it said "bank 1, sensor 1" so I got a new 02 sensor and replaced the proper sensor. I went with a Bosch 13441 plug and play. I am no longer getting the old cel code but now I am getting a NEW code of "P0125 (Insufficient Coolant Temperature for Close Loop Fuel Control)". I ended up changing my T-stat with a factory unit and I am still getting the P0125 code.

I did some research on here and it seems that many owners have also replaced their 02's and get the P0125 code after. It seems that nobody is following up with how they ever resolved the problem At this point I am sooooo frustrated. Any help would be great!

VVTiBob

Was the car out of gas? Sometimes this causes problems... In either case, here is the P0125 diagnostic.

Swishh

Thanks for the info Bob! The car wasnt low on gas. I think my next step will be to replace the other o2 sensor too at bank 2, sensor 1. It would make sense that both of the sensors would fail about the same time. I hope thats it... I dont want to get into injector or pressure issues. I will keep you updated. Thanks again for the help!

Swishh

I still cant figure it out. I am now wondering if I can only use a dealer part for the 02 sensor?

Your question about being low on fuel raised an eyebrow though... I remember last year I ran out of gas on the freeway. Is there anyway that I could have a lingering problem from that event?

VVTiBob

I think it's time to go in for a scan to see what error/trouble codes have been stored the ECM memory.

Swishh

Hi all. I did end up having the problem fixed and wanted to update the thread for archive. The problem ended up being ME. When I went to replace the bank 1, sensor 1 oxygen sensor I must have pulled a little too hard because one of the wires came out of the socket on the wiring harness. This is what was causing my new cel of po125! I had no idea this was the problem as the harness is way out of sight and tucked up the block. After I took out the Bosch sensor and replaced with Denso (just in case since everyone here is so anti-bosch) and having no effect I got frustrated and took it to the dealer (like I should have done in the first place, haha!) The dealer found the problem after an hour and fixed it by soldering the wire back in place. Problem all fixed! I dont know how in the heck the dealer tech was able to get his hands in a place to be able to solder the wire back in the harness but he did. Im happy again!

VVTiBob

Thanks for the update. I'll keep that one in the memory banks as a potential solution.

T8LEX

iTrader: (2)

I had a CEL light a few weeks ago for bank 1 sensor 2 i got some help from a few ppl here and i bought the new sensor and it was shipped to me but then the CEL light went off and hasnt been back in about 12 days and it seems to be driving normal so i am hoping i am okay without changing anything what do you all think > ?>?

VVTiBob

Sounds good. If you look at comment 5 above, a 125 error does have a few trouble area that are not the O2 sensor itself, yet the sensor is doing its job, identifying an issue which may have resolved itself.

T8LEX

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for your help VVTiBob you are prob the most helpful person on this site!!!!!!

VVTiBob

Thanks, my pleasure. But there are many from our community who help here and I appreciate all of their comment too. They too have shared a tremendous amount of knowledge!