97 Explorer O2 sensor

[fraxinusalba]

Anybody have any tips on getting to the electrical connector for the right front O2 sensor on 97 Explorer? Its located between firewall and engine near the center. Can't reach it from above or below. Dang, that thing's hard to get to.

 

[budwich]

take your wheel off and then undo the skirt, it is then "seeable" and readily reachable... at least on my 96. Like you there was basically no way to achieve success from either the top or bottom.

 

[Turdle]

Ok
You remove the center console, (only 5 bolts, one plug and a rearward whack-it's out) and roll back the carpet a bit-
Right on the trans hump is a removable panel-it is for just this chore-
you will see the connectors right there under it.
It sounds like an ordeal, but believe me, if you'd started this way, you'd be drinking a cold one now.

 

[fraxinusalba]

Budwich - tried that already cause it looked like the sensor was easier to get to from that vantage also but still couldn't get to connector.

jtsmith - will try your suggestion. Have had the console out before and not a big ordeal. Still appears the connector is higher, more like straight behind the radio. But what the heck, may find a quarter somebody lost in the console.

Already had beer while cussing Ford engineers for not putting another six inches on the wire harness end.

 

[fraxinusalba]

success update

Trying to go through panel under center console proved fruitless for me. Arm would wedge between transmission and body before I could get arm in far enough to reach connector. Could barely touch it with my fingers. Did find 11 cents and half a peanut though

After looking for other possibilities and not finding any, went back to access through wheel well. After forcing my hand between engine and firewall (with considerable pain), I finally got finger in far enough to depress the retainer clip. Had to use other hand to pull on wire to remove connector though. I never could get a grip on the connector with my hand. Just too tight an opening.

Only good thing about the whole job was the O2 sensor came right out, no problem. About 1/8th turn with a wrench and unscrewed it with my fingers. Figured after 180K miles, it would be practically welded in there.

 

[Abbens]

take your wheel off and then undo the skirt, it is then "seeable" and readily reachable... at least on my 96. Like you there was basically no way to achieve success from either the top or bottom.

I just did this on my 97 ohv v6. and it wasnt that bad of a job.

 

[fraxinusalba]

Mine is 4.0L SOHC and its a real PITA job for something that should be relatively simple.