lxcivic

I got a 98 civic Lx. My engine light was on. I got it computer scanned and they said I need to change my O2 sensor (the one before the catalytic converter). I got my O2 sensor/heater replaced 3 days back with a bosch sensor from Autozone. The engine light was off for three days that I drove.

Now again my engine light is on. I checked the code by jumping the data cable with a paper clip. The code is 41, which means the problem has come back!

Can a new O2 sensor go bad so soon? Or did the mechanic do a bad job in fitting it?

Any insights ?

97Ej6mike

Did you install it, or did the place you went to do the work? If they did the work, take it back to them. Sounds like it may have been plugged in wrong; New O2 sensors dont just die like that, unless you were given a faulty one.

lxcivic

I bought it in Autozone, but got it installed in a different mechanic shop...I will see them tomorrow...

muhaMan

how much do they cost at AutoZone??

si_motor_spt

It could be a bad sensor, but try checking with the mechanic shop. ( FYI bosch o2 sensors suck and tend to go out faster than usual, denso is the way to go)

lxcivic

Bosch sensor was 79.99+tax in autozone...

lxcivic

it has a warrenty...if the sensor is bad they are going to replace it...

lxcivic

I took my car to autozone and they cleared the engine light with a scanner...When I got my O2 sensor replaced, I cleared the light myself by momentarily removing the 7.2 amp fuse...
I guess I will wait a few more days to see if the engine light comes back again...if it comes back I will take it to the mechanic who fitted the O2 sensor...

lxcivic

The mechanic says my other O2 sensor (the one after the cat converter) id bad as well. Labour $105 if I bring him the parts

lxcivic

what is an universal O2 sensor? can I just buy that? I checked out at autozone website...looks like it is cheaper.

pdiggitydogg

Shitty bosch sensors... NEVER buy bocsh products for your honda. There are hundreds of bad experience stories for every 1 good.
Expect that unit (pre-cat) to last about 3 months tops.

Code 41 is 2ndary o2, yes. Replace it

http://www.sparkplugs.com
OR
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1890859
Buy a denso or dont even bother!
And hey look...theyre cheaper than the bosch POS

lxcivic

I understand there are two O2 sensors in my civic lx 1998. There is one under the engine, i.e. one has to go under the car to see that one. And there is the other that is visible from the top, right below the hood.

Can somebody tell me which one is the one before the catalytic converter? and conversely which one is the one after the catalytic converter?

Here is my problem. My O2 heater/sensor was bad and the engine was throwing error code 41. So the mechanic replaced the one below the car. The engine light was off for some time. After a few trips, the engine light came back again and I took it to a different mechanic. This mechanic replaced the sensor on the top with the "old" one that was below the car. He says this will work fine. My question is, are the two sensors same? Can the sensor on the top be replaced with the sensor below the car?
Any help is greatly appreciated.

pdiggitydogg

On the y7, the cat converter is integrated into the exhaust manifold - the 2ndary is located there, the bulge on the downpipe; the primary at the runners (this is considered 'pre-cat')

Functionally, the sensors are the same - they are interchangable (Im using a "primary" as a "secondary")

The code came back because its a crappy product.
Get a denso from one of the links I posted above, replace it yourself (you need a 22mm or 7/8" wrench, antiseize, and thats it)
Dont pay a mechanic for this...as it is the guy sounds not-so-competent

lxcivic

Thanks for the info. If the light comes back again, I am going to replace the Bosch with Denso.

I will definitely change it myself next time on. I already wasted a couple hundred dollars with the mechanics.

BlackoutVTi

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97Ej6mike &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">New O2 sensors dont just die like that, unless you were given a faulty one.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It was a Bosch O2 sensor, anything is possible.

egsleepercivic

get one thats a direct plug in, don't get one you have to splice, your mechanic could have done a shitty job splicing the wires

JDM_Silver

YO? Call Honda America.. and they will give you a free o2 sensor, it was a recalled product. Same thing happend to me awhile back and i took it the neariest honda center and they replaced the o2 sensor and with a oil change , distribitor cap and rotor. The o2 was a recalled product for 96 and 00 , so check it out and get your money back..

lxcivic

On no...the one I got could be directly plugged in...

Archidictus

$105 for an O2 replacement IF YOU BRING THE PARTS!? Are you kidding me? That's 2 minutes of work! He's ripping you big time.

AnotherEJ

^^yeah for real! can you twist the cap off a jar of pickles?? then there you go you can replace it yourself.

And autozone carries denso o2 sensors At least mine does

lxcivic

I know $105 is too much to pay for O2 sensor replacement...did not want to argue with that mechanic!

93civicsedan

iTrader: (1)

I know that Honda issued an emissions warranty extension for 95-97 civics. Call Honda and see if your car is covered. My brother recently got his o2 sensor replaced for free.