oxygen sensor question?

[Techmonster]

HI there, I have a 94 explorer and has about 145,000 miles on it. I have been recently been getting a check engine light that comes and goes at random. It'll come on for 5 min, then leave for 5 min, come back and leave. I've been told that if the check engine light stays on while your driving it is something to look into, if it flashes at you, nothing serious. I brought it up to a roommate of mine and he said maybe an oxygen sensor. I have all maintance records from new and know it has never been done...is this a decent guess? Do they were slowly or is there recommended service intervals for these criters. thanks everyone
Bryan

 

[MyExpWork]

The only time your check engine light should come on is when something is wrong or when you first start the car. Even if it flashes there prolly is something wrong.

As far as the oxygen sensor I'm not sure. I have a 91 with 171,000 and as far as I know the O2 senseors have never been changed.

My suggestion is get a code reader and read the code that should be stored in the CPU or pay someone to read. This will point you in the right direction instead of guessing that could get expensive.

Brian

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by MyExpWork
My suggestion is get a code reader and read the code that should be stored in the CPU or pay someone to read. This will point you in the right direction instead of guessing that could get expensive.

Brian

This suggestion is spot on. Dont start guessing, because every wrong guess is paying for something you dont need (yet).

A lot of people have gotten codes read for free at Autozone, also a code reader for a 94 isnt terribly expensive (about $35).

I dont think that O2 sensors actually "wear out" but they can become contaminated over a period of time so that they dont respond as fast as they should or they can get damaged so they dont work at all.