2002 Limited w/4.6 needs o2 sensor, help!

[Truth Explorer]

I bought the truck yesterday and the first time I drove it today the check engine light comes on. So I go to autozone they pull a o2 sensor code. It idles a little rough when in park, but thats it. Its got 128,000 miles and might need a tune up 2. My question is, is changeing it a PIA, or could I do it myself ? I am no stranger to working on cars, just never had to replace a o2 sensor before. TIA for your help!

 

[shadowless127]

personally, id take the truck right back to where u purchased it and make them change it, just on principal lol.

 

[Curtis]

My 96 will through an O2 sensor code sometimes... I disconnect the batter for a while and the CEL wont come on for a few weeks..

Sounds like the dealer may have done the same to get rid of it... Its worth a try. Worst they can say is "Tough S**t" .

 

[Truth Explorer]

TS for me!

Well I bought the truck from a private party. So replaceing the sensor is my only option.

 

[Turdle]

Have the code read again -do not buy any parts-
Report the exact code please-post it up here.
usually it isn't a bad 02 sensor at all, rather the 02 sensor code is telling of another problem.

 

[Truth Explorer]

And the code is.....

Bank 2 sensor 2. This is passenger side down stream? Thanks in advance for your thoughts and help!

 

[Turdle]

I wanted the actual code-displayed as P-0XXX

x being the code digits


it may be a bad 02 sensor-or a bad catalytic converter-or just a broken wire. It isn't real uncommon to find a pin in the connector plug pushed back, making a bad connection

An 02 sensor code usually means the sensor is working-just giving an erroneous reading due to bad combustion cycles.


Bank 2 is driver side
bank 1 is passenger side

 

[Truth Explorer]

Newbie mistake

Sorry I should have wrote the code down. Ill get it tommorrow. Thanks for the help! Do you know if a O2 sensor for a 97 E-150 with a 4.6 would work on my x? Just curious. A friend has 2 brand new that were for his van. He crashed it so no use for them.

 

[RC Money]

I bought the truck yesterday and the first time I drove it today the check engine light comes on. So I go to autozone they pull a o2 sensor code. It idles a little rough when in park, but thats it. Its got 128,000 miles and might need a tune up 2. My question is, is changeing it a PIA, or could I do it myself ? I am no stranger to working on cars, just never had to replace a o2 sensor before. TIA for your help!

I've just changed out my front O2 sensors. I put my 4.6Liter 4 wheel drive explorer up on ramps with a jack under the front crossmember tor a "little extra height" (I'm not small). Took a 8"inch needle nose pliers press the connector holder (it's shaped like an arrow head, simply squeeze the tabs (flared out arrow head looking part) together and push it out of the hole) out of its mount to the transmission, Then you can pull the connector downward some to press the tab on the connector to "click" the disconnect on the O2 sensor connectors to pull them apart. Took a 7/8 inch open end wrench which fit the O2 sensors to unscrew them from the pipe. It was aggravating in that I couldn't get much of a "turn" with the wrench, but I have more time than money, so I just kept at it. Installing the new sensors was just the reverse. Be sure to put some anti-seize on the O2 treads going in. Again, its a pain to tighten the O2 sensors, but doable. Then snap the connectors together. I will admit its tight to get to the connectors but again, doable. Then insert the connector "mount" back into the hole. It took me longer to watch the YouTube videos on how to do it than it does to do the job....

If you are doing the rear O2 sensors they are even easier....down low and easy to get to. Same process as the forward sensors.