Please help!!! Oxygen sensor unit issue!

[corn-rolla101]

Hi All,

I purchased an 03 Corolla Sportivo yesterday and paid in full :D It's a dream I had for years, so I was very happy. Until I noticed the engine light go one, you know the one in the manual which says, 'take to dealer immediately'. So I range the bloke I bought it off - he said that the light had been on for 6 mths, he took it to the Skyfleet Kedron and they said it wasn't a critical issue, that it would be 100ish to fix. He told me to go there and check if I wanted. I didn't notice this light during test drive btw, stupid I know. So I rang them, and yes, they had his (mine now, hehe) corolla on their system and mentioned the Oxygen sensor unit. Said it wasn't urgent but should be fixed to improve performance, and quoted me almost 400. 300 for the part and 100 for the install.

My question is:

Should the safety certificate have picked this up? Or does this not matter for a safety cert?

Is there anywhere cheaper or should I get it done at Toyota? I rang Repco and they said they didn't have the part for the tivo model no :(

What should I do? Is it necessary to fix this immediately? Obviously the ex-owner doesn't care because he has his money, but its kinda dented my tivo buying experience. It seems lowering will have to wait sigh lol.

Thanks for you help guys,

Jus

[Blind Kid Seeks]

hey mate, Sorry your purchase has a prob straight up.

when your engine check light comes on, your car goes into what they call "limp home" mode. which stops the VVT from working, and also limits the Rev's to 7000 rpm.

It does this so you can take it to the dealer.

an O2 sensor, is easily accessible in your exhaust manifold under the car, right above the Catalytic converter. it just unscrews.

I'd get the part number from Toyota and go to a wrecker and get one from there.... people seem to wreck their Celica a whole lot these days (celica has the 2zzge engine too if you werent aware)

good luck with it mate!

let us know how you go.

Andy.

[the_random_hero]

hey mate, Sorry your purchase has a prob straight up.

when your engine check light comes on, your car goes into what they call "limp home" mode. which stops the VVT from working, and also limits the Rev's to 7000 rpm.

It does this so you can take it to the dealer.

an O2 sensor, is easily accessible in your exhaust manifold under the car, right above the Catalytic converter. it just unscrews.

I'd get the part number from Toyota and go to a wrecker and get one from there.... people seem to wreck their Celica a whole lot these days (celica has the 2zzge engine too if you werent aware)

good luck with it mate!

let us know how you go.

Andy.

You can buy them new for <$100, I can't see any reason why you'd really want to go for a second hand one.

[corn-rolla101]

Random Hero, where do you get them from? Sorry, I have no idea about cars, just that I love my tivo lol

hey mate, Sorry your purchase has a prob straight up.

when your engine check light comes on, your car goes into what they call "limp home" mode. which stops the VVT from working, and also limits the Rev's to 7000 rpm.

It does this so you can take it to the dealer.

an O2 sensor, is easily accessible in your exhaust manifold under the car, right above the Catalytic converter. it just unscrews.

I'd get the part number from Toyota and go to a wrecker and get one from there.... people seem to wreck their Celica a whole lot these days (celica has the 2zzge engine too if you werent aware)

good luck with it mate!

let us know how you go.

Andy.

You can buy them new for <$100, I can't see any reason why you'd really want to go for a second hand one.

[the_random_hero]

Autobarn, Bursons, Repco, etc.

[corn-rolla101]

also, is it a safety cert requirement to have the 02 sensor working?

because it wasn't when i got it, and i'm wondering whether the mech did a dodge job...

Autobarn, Bursons, Repco, etc.

[dayve]

geez that sucks man, cos ive got the same issue with my car

after i changed the headers on my 1zz, i noticed the yellow indicator light come on too.

i took it to toyota to do a diagnostic, and they said it was also an 02 sensor issue, and said it was no problem to drive around with.

so ive been driving around with it for the last 9 months..without any issue.

i too am looking for a solution ><

Edited February 6, 2009 by dayve

[the_random_hero]

also, is it a safety cert requirement to have the 02 sensor working?

because it wasn't when i got it, and i'm wondering whether the mech did a dodge job...

Autobarn, Bursons, Repco, etc.

Not a safety issue, will cause your fuel economy to go down immensely though. When new headers are put on, if the installer uses a sealant with silicone in it, it buggers your O2 sensor up.

It's a really easy thing to fix too, 22mm spanner to undo (from memory), just unclip it at the plug and and then do the reverse to reinstall. Shouldn't take you more than say half an hour, if you have most of the tools.

[corn-rolla101]

has anyone had to put a new 02 sensor in?

i'm ringing around atm and it seems like the toyota genuine one is the only one... repco/autobahn etc say they don't have one on stock

[the_random_hero]

has anyone had to put a new 02 sensor in?

i'm ringing around atm and it seems like the toyota genuine one is the only one... repco/autobahn etc say they don't have one on stock

They'll be able to order them in though. Where are you located? If you're in Brissy I can track one down for you.

It's really, really easy to change over - any idiot that can wield a spanner can do it (not insinuating that you're an idiot :P)

[corn-rolla101]

yes, i am in brisbane (north). would that be possible, random hero? lol, i should be able to install one i hope hahaha. i know toyota has them in stock, but if you have contacts, i'd really appreciate it.

has anyone had to put a new 02 sensor in?

i'm ringing around atm and it seems like the toyota genuine one is the only one... repco/autobahn etc say they don't have one on stock

They'll be able to order them in though. Where are you located? If you're in Brissy I can track one down for you.

It's really, really easy to change over - any idiot that can wield a spanner can do it (not insinuating that you're an idiot :P)

[the_random_hero]

yes, i am in brisbane (north). would that be possible, random hero? lol, i should be able to install one i hope hahaha. i know toyota has them in stock, but if you have contacts, i'd really appreciate it.

has anyone had to put a new 02 sensor in?

i'm ringing around atm and it seems like the toyota genuine one is the only one... repco/autobahn etc say they don't have one on stock

They'll be able to order them in though. Where are you located? If you're in Brissy I can track one down for you.

It's really, really easy to change over - any idiot that can wield a spanner can do it (not insinuating that you're an idiot :P)

Call 07 3208 9285, ask to speak to either Brad or Ella in spares. Don't think Brad is there today, but I know Ella is. That number is for Autobarn Slacks Creek, best Autobarn store around IMO.

[corn-rolla101]

thanks for that hero, i couldn't get through to them but found an autobarn store at lawnton which did have the part.

how many wires does the o2 unit have btw?

[the_random_hero]

thanks for that hero, i couldn't get through to them but found an autobarn store at lawnton which did have the part.

how many wires does the o2 unit have btw?

Depends, anywhere from 2 to 5 depending on what sort of O2 sensor it is. Did you get one specifically for your car, or a universal one?

[corn-rolla101]

i haven't got it yet, but probably a universal one. i'm looking on the bosch website to try to find a part no. how many wires can you connect up to in the corolla? do the spare wires just hang there? do you know of anyone who has a universal one, and what do they think? (sorry about all the q's!)

thanks for that hero, i couldn't get through to them but found an autobarn store at lawnton which did have the part.

how many wires does the o2 unit have btw?

Depends, anywhere from 2 to 5 depending on what sort of O2 sensor it is. Did you get one specifically for your car, or a universal one?

[CHA54]

I'd buy a genuine one personally...

That way the new unit comes with the appropriate loom plug.

With the universal units you need to cut off the old plug and crimp the wires from the universal sensor to the original loom. You can't/shouldn't solder oxygen sensor wires.

[dayve]

anyone know what the part number for the 02 sensor is? might make searching for it a little bit easier

let me noe how u go with it corn-rolla101.

Edited February 7, 2009 by dayve

[corn-rolla101]

well, i've rang all the usual places - autobarn, repco, supercheap - and they said they couldn't find a part no for that yr, only for previous years. one of them said they had a universal one though. anyway, i checked myself - went to bosch website and looked for the part through their brochures... they were right, i could find a part no. only for previous years, not from 01-up. not cool. i'm wondering whether a universal will be as effective as the genuine... but you pay more than double installed (400) for the genuine. thoughts?

anyone know what the part number for the 02 sensor is? might make searching for it a little bit easier

let me noe how u go with it corn-rolla101.

[CHA54]

buy one from toyota, grab a 22mm spanner, install it yourself.