Like others people here, my new-to-me SC430 came up with the check engine light, showing a "Oxygen Heater Circuit Malfunction", code P0155 (bank 2, sensor 1). Searching the forum, I found out this is the oxygen sensor in the passenger side exhaust manifold.

I called Sewell Lexus, they quoted $230 for the part (a local dealer quoted the same). I have seen people discuss "universal" or "aftermarket" sensors on this forum, which seem to cost a fraction of the OEM sensor price, such as this one from Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-4...item48414a5e39

Has anyone heard anything about these universal or aftermarket oxygen sensors? The one in the above Ebay listing reads "NEW 4-WIRE OXYGEN SENSOR, Position Driver or Passenger Side, Before Catalytic Converter".

My car is high mileage (over 130K), it's hard to justify purchasing a $230 sensor and paying for installation. My only goal is to keep the check engine light from turning on and passing state inspection/emission (the check engine light will prevent passing inspection/emission in my state).

Any thoughts are very much appreciated, thank you.

 

^^ I'm currently installing the BOSCH brand for Bank 1 and Bank 2 sensors (OE fit) because my CEL lights are on as well. But this is because I had Test Pipes previously installed and I need to get my car smogged . They were about 80 bucks each. Just buy them on Amazon and have shop install them for you which is not a difficult process. I heard aftermarket sensors should work ok. I'll keep you posted if anything. Btw, I wouldn't recommend a universal fit because you may have splice the wires and such and such.

 

lyyca, thanks for your response. Can you tell us what Bosch model numbers you have ordered? In my case, it appears I only need the one for "Bank 2, Sensor 1", not sure if that means I need a single sensor or several.

 

There are a total of four 02 sensors, two on each side, driver/passenger before and after the CCvter. You only need to replace them if there is a failure, so just one. If you want to do it yourself you'll need a 02 sensor socket to remove and install them. If you go to this thread https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...ment-help.html, post #3 where I posted a PDF you see where the sensor is located... and yes it is a PITA to get out...especially if it's seized up in there. You may have to use some heat to loosen it.
Lyyca is right.... you want to avoid universal fit one where you'll need to cut/splice wires.

 

Is it me or has your car just been giving you fits???

 

VVTiBob, thanks for your response. You seem to be the one person who very accurately responds to most legitimate questions, which many folks here appreciate (myself included!) I don't think its so much that the car has been giving me fits, it's more like I'm super ****/specific about it since I just purchased it very recently and want to understand it better. When buying a high-mileage car I expected these issues, so I'm not complaining, just trying to get the most information I can and share it with the forum. By the way, we both have the exact same color combination, so they look 'identical'... except I don't have any of your mods... yet

I did locate the print the PDFs you posted, I will provide them to my mechanic as I don't have the skills to perform the work myself. I will make sure he has the aforementioned '02 sensor socket' to remove and install the sensor.

 

For those following this thread, I have an update.

Through the help of this forum, I hunted down and purchased a "Bosch 13632 Oxygen Sensor, OE Type Fitment" oxygen sensor from Amazon for about $100. Interestingly enough, it seems that the driver side sensor is different from the passenger side sensor (not sure if this is a fact...), and it seems the driver's side Bosch sensor is about $40 less than the passenger side. Apparently, it's also potentially important that the replacement sensor is "heated" (whatever that means), and the Bosch 13632 is "heated", and that it has the correct "plug" (it's not universal, no wires needed to be cut, it was a direct placement).

I had an independent mechanic install it (charging me one hour labor, $60, which I thought was reasonable). He cleared the check engine light and so far (a day into it) all seems good, the check engine light has not come back.

 

Congratulations on getting it fixed properly.

 

thanks, I am very happy with the solution.

 

Update: two months later everything is still good, no issues

 

Now I have a problem got the code from Auto Zone and its P 0051 bank 2 sensor 1, I'm planning of fixing it myself any recommendations how to get into the passenger side other than lifts ?
as I read the threads and the tools that I needed, offset O2 sensor socket, 22mm wrench and spray it with PB blaster overnight for easy removal ?? anything else ?

And also for clarification for the location of Bank 2 Sensor 1 passenger side exhaust , is it the one on the top or under ? by catalictic converter ? Please help ..

Also I heard that Denso is much better than Bosch is this true ?


Thanks
Nic

 

I don't believe one is better then the other. manufacturers such as Lexus use companies to supply them with parts that they do not make themselves, Denso being one of them. So, many mechanics will suggest to stick with the oem parts in this case Denso provides a few of the electrical parts for Toyota and Lexus so they could say they are the best. Many moons ago when I was a BMW guy I replaced the spark plugs and o2 sensors with Bosch only because they provided the oem parts for them. Good luck.

 

Instead of trying to do the work myself, I paid a mechanic $60 to install it so I can't help you with how to access it. It's been 1.5 years and the issue hasn't reoccurred so I guess he did a good job.