I made an earlier post about the “Check Engine” light being on. AutoZone determined an Oxygen Sensor was defective. My son changed the front engine sensor -- no success. He changed the rear engine sensor -- no success. Finally, he installed one of the removed engine sensor, which we assume was still good, and installed in the exhaust system (by the converter) -- no success. Both AutoZone and www.oxygensensor.com say all three sensors are the same.

Question: (1) Any suggestions for a fix? We’re stuck.

(2) The wiring for the exhaust pipe sensor seems to disappear up into the body through a rubber grommet that appeared too small for the sensor plug to pass through. He cut the wires and spliced the new sensor into the existing wiring.? Is the plug connection really up in the body? How does one reach it?

(3) Aren’t all three sensors the same?

1998 ES 300, 58,000 miles.


Bill

 

Bill,
Check your owner's manual, call your local Lexus dealer. O2 sensor is emissions related and should still be under the Emissions warrantee which is longer then the 4yr/50k mile limited Lexus warrantee. If it is, they have to fix it for free.

Regards

 

If you have a local mechanic, take the car to them and have them hook it up to a scanner and see what codes are displayed. If the mechanic has an import card for his scanner, he should be able to get a full diagnostic plus what measures should be taken to fix. If he doesn't have an import card, he should still be able to use generic OBDII and pull up the O2 sensor values...the one that is not registering properly will be the one that needs replaced.

local mechanics usually don't charge as much as dealerships, mine charges $20!

-c

 

Unhook the battery for about 5 minutes to clear to original fault codes, then run the car and see if anything comes back. My RX had the check engine light go on because the gas cap wasn't on all the way. The dealer said the light is emissions releated only. If the light comes back on, I would call the dealer also, because I think it should still be covered. Just tell him you tried to fix it with the new sensors and spliced the one in, he'll understand.

 

Where did you purchase the O2 sensors?

 

I've bought them at AutoZone before, but not for the Lexus.