Check engine light O2 sensor

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Feb 5, 2008 | 08:15 PM

newgsman

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From: Ontario

Check engine light O2 sensor

My GS4 engine light came on about three weeks ago and I didn't have reader so I started driving the car sparingly until I could find out what the code was. The car was still running just as well as it always has in the past six months that I have owned it. Anyway I got the code read last night and it was P0136. The guy reset the code but it came right back on again. The light was on yesterday evening and again this morning when I drove to work. On my way back from work I had to make a stop and when I started the car up again the check engine light was gone. The light still lights up along with all of the other indicator lights when you turn the key to the on position but it turns off once the engine is running.

Anyone experienced this before?

Feb 6, 2008 | 03:59 AM

Gunnut

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From: KS

My 94 LS400 used to do this. The light would come on and go off but no noticeable change in performance. It was a bad O2 sensor.
My 98 GS4 was throwing this code until two weeks ago when i replaced the O2 sensor on the driver side post cat. Code and light went away.

what you most likely have is a O2 sensor that is working intermittently. It'll eventually go out completely and the light will stay on.

JimA

Feb 6, 2008 | 05:50 AM

19psi

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From: Lou-Evil KY

that's the code for the bank1 sensor 2 02 sensor. after cat. it does nothing for engine performance. you could leave it alone for the rest of the car's life and it will run fine. it's sole purpose in life is to monitor the funciton of the catalytic convertor.

Feb 6, 2008 | 08:08 PM

Gunnut

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From: KS

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19psi

I thought about doing this with mine but was concerned I wouldn't know if the car threw another code. (Save for a possible noticeable decrease in performance) I didn't want the light on all the time.

Feb 7, 2008 | 05:02 AM

19psi

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From: Lou-Evil KY

that is the downside to not fixing it...
a lot of performance people who don't run cats will buy a 02 simulator to plug in place of the rear 02. it sends an acceptable signal to the ecu to make it happy and keep the cel off.

Feb 8, 2008 | 05:53 AM

Gunnut

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From: KS

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19psi

How much does one cost? I bought the sensor for @$95 shipped.
Given the age of the car (10yrs) I kind of expect a CEL once and a while as parts get old and want to know when it needs attention.

JimA

Feb 8, 2008 | 06:03 AM

carbongs

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From: ga

i know 02 simulators aren't as readily available as before. i got mine a year ago from o2simulators.com but their site is no longer up. cost $40 at the time. i now have no cats, no resonators, and a wideband installed all without a CEL