The O2 Sensors contain a heater element to help them get up to temperature faster so that it can start sending reliable readings to the ECU faster and go into closed loop mode I believe it is. Based on the codes you gave I would say those elements are shot and unfortunately, at least to my knowledge, you cannot replace the heater elements separately of the O2 sensors themselves, they are contained in the sensors.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
One of my sensors last year was getting squirrely so I went ahead and replaced them both. There is one before and after the Cat. B1S1 (Bank 1 Sensor 1) is pre Cat., and B1S2 (Bank 1 Sensor 2)is post Cat., and they cost me about $50 ea. at Autozone. The Pre-Cat sensor will be tough if not impossible to get at with the heat shield on with a wrench if you have the stock header, but if you get an O2 Sensor Socket you can do it with no problems.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
It doesnt matter which one goes where. They are identical to each other. So when putting in the new ones, you dont have to worry if you got the sensor in the right location. The two of them are interchangeable.
After thinking about it, Im curious as to whether or not they both went out at the same time? Did you get the CEL and then just drive it a while? The reason I ask is that I have never seen 2 O2 sensors go out together. Its usually a chain reaction. You get one that goes out, that causes a change in the a/f management, that causes the Cat. to degrade and then eventually the second O2 Sensor.
If they both went out at the same time, I would be curious as to what could have caused that or was it just a freak thing. More weird to me is the fact it was the O2 heaters and not the sensor themselves.
Anyway, just some thoughts I was pondering after posting.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
wait a sec though, they have different part #'s and yet they are the same??? anyways which one do you recommend i replace considering the ODB II codes. thanks again for all of your help.
also yeah i drove it awhile with the CEL on. so both of 'em are probably shot then. as for the cat, is will it be damaged? will the sensors go out again because the cat is defective? i dunno, just help me out here. thanx
Last edited on Sun Sep 26th, 2004 08:19 pm by docinsano
I dont know for sure if they are the same or not. I imagine they are but just follow the instructions to be safe. the second O2 dosent even really matter. it just verifys operation of the cat. On the SPI, you can use an open ended wrench to get the 1st O2 off.
Well, I guess I missed it that you had the SPI, so I guess you could use an open ended wrench on there. If TXFO says it about the SPI I accept it as gospel then. If the Cat. is bad, then most likely it will only take out the second O2.
As far as I know, and atleast according to the schematics I have, the O2 Sensors are the same, but I also have the Zetec motor so I dont know if that makes a difference, I wouldnt think it would.
As for replacement, you will have to replace the O2 sensors in order to replace the heater elements because they are built into the O2 sensors.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
well i got 'er hooked up, so im set but do i REALLY need a torque wrench to torque it to 35 ft lbs? i just tightened it pretty well but not sure of the torque. will this make a difference???
okay now this is bogus, i replaced both o2 sensors and i still get an error. no not right away. i clear my CEL and it stays off. i stop my engine, i drive a bit and the freakin thing is on again and it gives me the old p0135 and p0141, what the hell. im pissed. some one tell me about it please
Thats what Im thinking. The downstream O2 has a dual role, but more to check the cat and if you are still getting the same thing its very possible the cat could be bad or maybe clogged.
Im not sure if you can pull them off and maybe blow them out some to get a bit more use out of it. If its literally clogged rather than just used up and not doing its job anymore, its possible you could just blow out any build up and run it until you can get a new one. Might be worth looking into.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
the second O2 dosent even really matter. it just verifys operation of the cat. On the SPI, you can use an open ended wrench to get the 1st O2 off.
