after replacing spark plugs and wires engine light still come on should i replace the O2 sensor as diagnose suggested if so which
My car has 120000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
The sensor located just in front of the catalytic converter measures the mixture of the exhaust gas exiting the engine. The sensor located after the catalytic converter is used to measure the performance of the converter by comparing the O2 levels before and after. (Upstream is the same as pre-catalyst, before the catalytic converter. Downstream is post-catalyst or behind the catalytic converter). The amount of oxygen in the exhaust varies according to the air/fuel ratio of the fuel injection system. The oxygen sensor produces a small voltage signal that is interpreted by the electronic control unit (ECU) of the fuel injection system. The ECU makes constant adjustments in fuel delivery according to the signal generated by the oxygen sensor in order to maintain the optimum air/fuel ratio. If you would like to have this done, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to replace the oxygen sensor if needed.
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If you`re experiencing this, don`t panic. You may think that there is still a problem with the car after the repair, but it`s because the light needs time to reset. The car`s internal computer only resets after a set period where it checks all of its sensors once more.
The heater will bring the sensor up to operating temperature within 20 to 60 seconds depending on the sensor, and also keep the oxygen sensor hot even when the engine is idling for a long period of time.
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If the mechanic completed the O2 sensor replacement, reset the codes and the error code was triggered again, it is possible that the catalytic converter is damaged and needs to be replaced. However, it’s also very common for the electrical harnesses that power these sensors to become frayed, damaged or faulty; which can also trigger the check engine light. It’s not advisable to drive a vehicle with a damaged catalytic converter for extended periods of time, as it can cause damage to internal engine components.
The sensor located just in front of the catalytic converter measures the mixture of the exhaust gas exiting the engine. The sensor located after the catalytic converter is used to measure the performance of the converter by comparing the O2 levels before and after. (Upstream is the same as pre-catalyst, before the catalytic converter. Downstream is post-catalyst or behind the catalytic converter). The amount of oxygen in the exhaust varies according to the air/fuel ratio of the fuel injection system. The oxygen sensor produces a small voltage signal that is interpreted by the electronic control unit (ECU) of the fuel injection system. The ECU makes constant adjustments in fuel delivery according to the signal generated by the oxygen sensor in order to maintain the optimum air/fuel ratio. If you would like to have this done, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to replace the oxygen sensor if needed.
This may happen for a couple of reasons. First, check to be sure that the connections to the sensor are clean and not faulty or broken. Secondly, check to be sure you replaced the correct sensor as there are two camshaft position sensors in some applications. If you need further help with this, please reach out to us here at YourMechanic as we are always here to help.
Although it’s hard to say if there was serious damage done to your ECM during this service, it’s more likely that the stored error codes were never cleared from the ECM, and that’s why the warning lights still appear. This is a common oversight with some mechanics, but if you have a mobile mechanic complete a check engine light inspection, they should be able to clear those stored codes and determine if further damage has occurred.