o2 sensor CEL

So this weekend I did my best to fix an exhaust leak, one of the bolts on the 3-bolt flange between my header and uppipe was loose.

While driving around afterwards, and a few WOT turns in 2nd gear, my CEL came on.

It came up P0031 Front oxygen (A/F) sensor heater circuit low input.

I searched on Nasioc, and most said replace the o2 sensor.

Questions:
Most importantly, is it cool for me to drive 600 miles this weekend to FL?
Do I definitely have to replace it, or is there a cheaper solution?
Out of curiosity, what could have caused this?

Thanks guys! I'd rather ask here, people are actually friendly [gasp] ssh:

EDIT: SOG screwed me in the butt.

 

Low input could mean that your wire got a little too hot and could have melted. If you are not getting a voltage reading from the O2 sensor you will throw a CEL for sure.
As for the driving to FL I am not too sure about. You might run lean or rich depending on what your ECU has to say about the situation.

 

anybody else? any foreseeable problems driving to FL and back?

 

I"m not 100% positive, but I believe that it'll put your car in limp mode after a period of time (not sure how long though).

Also, you won't be able to use your cruise control either if you've got a CEL.

 

If you are getting that CEL and don't know what is going to happen I wouldn't risk a long drive. We all know Uf is going to be Auburn. :wtc: Watch it on TV.

$80 for an O2 sensor is not bad. When Ped and I were putting in my exhaust the rear one was stripped and we had to drive all the way to SOG and pay $150. Good luck. Changing out that O2 shouldn't be that difficult. Just pulling the passenger wheel and removing the panel. Right?

 

What's limp mode?

It would suck, but I could probably live without CC...

That's not an option, I have tickets already. Plus 2 friends are flying into ATL and going with me (cheaper than flying to Gville).

I could rent a car... Or hastily try and fix it.

 

Dont drive to FL, replace it ASAP.

 

SOG got a front o2 in stock I can buy?

 

Yes. Call for pricing, we usually have one in stock.

 

Thanks Will. What's the going rate for you to pop in the new one? Would you even have time tomorrow morning to do it? Should only take a few minutes to lift it up and do it, right?

 

I can get you in and out under 30 mins...if you dont want your car washed. The new wash guy is pretty slow. I've got time so far that I know.

Labor cost on it is right at $200 thru the shop.

 

Curious, what are the potential consequences? From what I've read so far, just bad gas mileage...

 

Damn, I just called SOG and it's $200! Is it made of diamonds?

 

Yeah, I didn't think the sensor was going to be that cheap.

 

Well, bad gas mileage and in the long run you can ruin the engine with the excessive fule/lack of fuel at the wrong moments.

It uses the sensor for closed loop fueling.

The sensor is a precision part from Bosch or Nippon-Denso...its an OE wideband sensor.

 

Pay the money. You want it done right if you are turning around and leaving town and don't have time to wrench it yourself.

I think this works now. Pick 2.

Fast
Cheap
Reliable

 

Haha, I guess... nothing cheap about it...

Just bought the sensor. For some reason it was 150, contrary to the 200 quote on the phone.

I'll make time to put it in before I leave.

Thanks guys!

 

Okay this is fan-f***ing-tastic.

I went to SOG parts. "I need a 2005 wrx front o2 sensor for the exhaust manifold." [he gets it]... as I'm paying "just to double check, this is the one for the exhaust manifold?" "Yep."

I get home tonight and luckily I decided to check the harness first. IT DOESN'T FIT!!!! Broseph gave me the wrong one. I don't know why, but the harness is a very similar size except for different indentions on the sides.

Now I HAVE to drive to FL and back with the CEL and apparently a bad o2 sensor. F***k this shit, if something bad happens to my car I will be uber-pissed... It's not completely SOGs fault, but dammit they certainly didn't help...

Wish me luck...

 

Well....4 pin connector..right? is the sensor harness male or female?

 

^^^ the harness is the right pin and all, but there are indentions on all four sides of it (outside), 1, 2, or none. kind of like ridges on a key, but the one i got is different from the old one. it won't fit... maybe if i shaved off all the ridges, but that can't be right.

 

That sucks bro...I have to say that I have bought brand new (oem) O2 sensors from a place called o2sensors.com or something similar fro 1/3 the price that the dealer wanted. I mean shit, I bought a whole new LC-1 WB 02 sensor AND the module for $215...that included the electronics AND the sensor AND the program to control it all...$150 or $200 for just the $50 bosch sensor is just a rip off from the good old Stealership.

 

thanks, I'll look into that.

I made it back, and my car is fine (I think).

 

It's actually oxygensensors.com (at least that's what I found), and yeah it was a "good" deal at $150.

Subaru didn't have the right sensor, so I had to get an actual saab part (GASP hnoes. Jim Ellis wanted over $300!!! :fawk: $150 is easier to swallow...

 

which o2 sensor ? I have one for the exhaust (before the 3rd cat)

 

Nah, it's the one on the exhaust manifold near the passenger/front wheel.