O2 Sensor Replacement

[krodammi]

ok boys and girls,

i finally bought the O2 sensor (the one in the engine compartment) to replace and hopefully get rid of the CEL i've had for 6 months.

so i went looking for a DIY...don't have one, searched the rest of the forum and i couldn't find anything except that i need a 7/8" wrench to get the thing out.

so here are my questions...i got the plug and play one so i don't have to worry about wires and all that crap but is it really that easy? seems like i'm missing something. i've also been told that you have to reset the computer. how do you do that?

doing this in the morning so any tips would be appreciated ^_^

[03GT]

I haven't changed one on the XD but changed one on the escort I had years ago. Yeah it's pretty easy. Unplug the wire on it, remove the old one, put the new one in, re attach the wire.

To reset your ecu, disconnect the battery, then push the brake pedal down for 30 seconds to drain the residual electricity out of the car. Re attach battery cable and drive.

[pangea]

I did it few weeks back. It's very easy. Since you got the one with connector, it will be even easier. Search my other posting for installation tips.

http://www.elantraxd.com/forums/showthread.php?p=410075

It will take less than 30 mins for everything. Hope you don't see CEL any more.

[2003GT]

Made enough tips to go get one. Must have been a good week. :)

[krodammi]

thanks for all your help guys. i'll let you know how it goes. and of course i'll take lots of pics cuz that's just me ^_^

@2003GT yes it has been a pretty good week but my dad bought it to pay back some stuff i had paid for while he was out of town. actually worked out pretty good.


EDIT: WOOT!!! post 300!!

[Munky]

I don't even remember my 300th post..lol.

Any updates?

[kylemorg]

You might want to go to Autozone or a similar parts store and either buy or "rent" a set of oxygen sensor wrenches. I couldn't get the front oxygen sensor off of my '02 using normal sockets or wrenches.

[krodammi]

update from this weekend: THEY GAVE ME THE WRONG PART!!!!!!!!! :hand:

so if you have a 2004 elantra and need to replace your O2 sensor look at the following picture very carefully. there is a good chance that you have an 03 sensor in your car.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii98/kawaiihart/differentO2sensorsedited2.jpg

of course i didn't realize this until i had pulled everything apart. and yes kylemorg i will be "renting" their wrench because we certainly don't have the tools to get that thing off :( i had even pulled of that plastic engine cover as well as that heat shield to try and get a better grip...yeah, not happening.

so now i have to wait 2 more days to get the part from autozone (checker wanted 8 and i laughed in their face!)

i will say autozone was very helpful even tho they gave me the wrong part the first time, when we went back in the guy pulled up the pictures of the part and then looked at the surrounding year and that's how we found it.

i will be taking lots of pics when i get the part for everyone's viewing pleasure ^_^

[kylemorg]

Once you have the right wrench (and the right part), it's a snap. Good luck!

[pangea]

If harbor freight tools store is near you, it will be just cheaper to buy O2 sensor socket, assuming you have 3/8" torque wrench or breaker bar. Only $3.99 and made in Taiwan.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95045

[2003GT]

Make your own. Cut into the side of a socket.

[krodammi]

Make your own. Cut into the side of a socket.

:abovelol: ok 1)i don't own any of my own sockets to go around and cut into and 2) how the hell do you cut a socket?!?!?!

there is a harbor freight about 5 miles from here so i'll stop by and see what they've got. will they also have that breaker bar you were talking about? my dad has random tools from like 35 years of car stuff but they are all old and in random places so i'd like to start my own tool collection so bring on the suggestions ^_^

[cbogg]

you can get basically anything you need there. buy a small 3 drawer toolchest, and start filling it with wrenches sockets and such. you could probably fill it up pretty good for like 120 bucks? and I highly recommend their 1/2 electric impact, it's awesome if you dont' have a compressor.

[pangea]

:abovelol: ok 1)i don't own any of my own sockets to go around and cut into and 2) how the hell do you cut a socket?!?!?!

there is a harbor freight about 5 miles from here so i'll stop by and see what they've got. will they also have that breaker bar you were talking about? my dad has random tools from like 35 years of car stuff but they are all old and in random places so i'd like to start my own tool collection so bring on the suggestions ^_^
They have pretty much all the tools that you will ever need for the maintenance. Most of them are craps if you are serious mechanic. They have all torque wrenches and breaker bars. Their regular prices are somewhat jacked up. Torque wrenches and breaker bars are often on sale and they go for around $10. Online price is always cheaper than retail store price, so print the online page and show it to the casher. They will do price change for you.

And I agree with cbogg, I bought their 1/2" electric impact gun for timing belt change. It's awesome tool to have around.

Good starter kit I think is this from craftsman

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934145000P?adCell=A3&sid=I0084400010000100383&aff=Y

It's on sale and they are good quality set for average joe like us. I just bought one for myself. :hammer: to fill up my new 14-drawer tool chest. LOL

But wait, you may find hidden treasures from your dad's tool. Though they may look old, many old "made in usa" tools were built to last forever. For example, 30 year old Stanley block plane are auctioned for hundreds of dollars and they beats modern plane in every way.

Good luck!

[2003GT]

I was thinking all you would need would be a deep socket and a Dremel. It would be cool but if you live 5- Min away just go buy one.

[krodammi]

i'm going to call autozone after lunch today to make sure they got my part and then i'll head over to harbor freight after work.

so i answered my own dumb question that was here so anyone who saw that can ignore it...on a side note, i have found a new store to spend all my money in. check these out!!!!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=96315

[kylemorg]

Just be careful what you buy from Harbor freight. If all you need is a one-time use tool, they'll probably work OK. However, if you're looking for tools you'll use repeatedly (i.e. drill bits or power tools), I'd recommend against buying them there.

The best thing I've found for price and reliability are Craftsman tools. They're not the best out there, but they usually hold up pretty well, are fairly reasonably priced on sale and if you do break them Sears will replace them for free (usually no questions asked at all).

[krodammi]

oh yeah i totally understand. i mean you are selling stuff for $5 and $10 can't last forever at that price. i would LOVE to have that starter tool set but i can't swing $180 right now.

[2003GT]

Craftsman has never done me wrong. I have also seen those fuses. They would be nice for finding a fuse in the dark. WOW there are four stores in my Area. One like 5 minuets away. Next rainy day i will have to check them out.

[pangea]

oops, that set was about $90 yesterday. Sale must have ended.

[Cypher]

That picture looks backwards to me. The 01-03 should have that smaller plug as compared to the 04+ which have more pins since its a wideband.

edit: craftsman tools are pretty much all that I buy.

[krodammi]

it would make sense that the picture is backwards but its not. got the part today along with the 3/8" socket (thank you very much for the suggestion, it helped a TON) got everything all set (no more cel yay!!!) and went to work...






10 miles or so later
FREAKIN CEL COMES BACK ON!!!!!!!!!!!!
(with the same P0420 code that started this whole thing)

so i'm back to square one:mad:

now what?

[2003GT]

Replace the other sensor. HAHAH.

[krodammi]

lol yeah i was going to look up and see if the other one would be as easy as this one. when i went back to autozone last night to have them read the code just to make sure it was the same one the guy was like "why did they even sell you an O2 sensor? your cat is bad" so i asked him how much the part was and was like "its not available yet"

how long does your car have to be on the market before they start selling parts for it?? i don't even think i can do it myself but that's not the point.

the question i have tho is why hasn't my car blown up? if it is the cat, i've been driving on it like this for over 6 months:confused::confused:

[Munky]

All the catalytic converter does is make exhaust fumes less hazardous so they can be emitted into the air.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter

It won't cause your car to blow up if it's not working, but you will fail any emissions tests that you might have to take.

[krodammi]

ok well that makes me feel a little better. its sucking the crap out of my gas milage tho >_< i just called to the shop i have do some work sometimes and they were like "if your car has 1 cat then its about $400 if it has 2 its about $700" what the hell does that mean 1 or 2??

i have officially decided that i'm going to fix my credit and drive this car until its dead and then buy one brand new off the lot so i have a freakin warranty! this second owner no warranty crap sux ::cry::

[Munky]

If you are the second owner, you get a 5 year/60,000 mile extended warranty.

[krodammi]

yeah except when i bought the car it had 62k on it already...i got hosed with this one

[2003GT]

Wait I am the second owner and my car has 32000 on it does that mean I still have a warranty. It was bought out of state from an auction.

[Cypher]

I still say that picture is backwards because I have worked on several xd1s and xd2s. None to mention I have an 02 and have taken it apart more times than I care to count.

[cbogg]

if your car has less than 80k on it, the cats should still be covered under warranty. If you're close to 80, I'd get it checked quick.

[krodammi]

unfortunately i have 85k

all i know is that when i told them i had an 04 and i needed the part i got the little yellow one and when they looked for the 03 they gave me the part that matches. i found the part numbers here

http://www.boschautoparts.com/RB.NA.AFTERMARKET.BOSCHAUTOPARTS.CMS/templates/VehiclePartFinder/VehiclePartFinderResultsTemplate.aspx?NRMODE=Publi shed&NRNODEGUID=%7bB045EDBE-2735-4740-B308-1FE402C47E2A%7d&NRORIGINALURL=%2fResources%2fVehiclePartFinder%2fV ehiclePartFinderResults%2ehtm%3fYear%3d2004%26Make %3dHYUNDAI%26Model%3dELANTRA_GLS%26Engine%3dL4%2b2 %2bGAS&NRCACHEHINT=NoModifyGuest&Engine=L4+2+GAS&Model=ELANTRA_GLS&Year=2004&Make=HYUNDAI 2004

http://www.boschautoparts.com/RB.NA.AFTERMARKET.BOSCHAUTOPARTS.CMS/templates/VehiclePartFinder/VehiclePartFinderResultsTemplate.aspx?NRMODE=Publi shed&NRNODEGUID=%7bB045EDBE-2735-4740-B308-1FE402C47E2A%7d&NRORIGINALURL=%2fResources%2fVehiclePartFinder%2fV ehiclePartFinderResults%2ehtm%3fYear%3d2003%26Make %3dHYUNDAI%26Model%3dELANTRA_GLS%26Engine%3dL4%2b2 %2bG4CP%2bGAS&NRCACHEHINT=NoModifyGuest&Engine=L4+2+G4CP+GAS&Model=ELANTRA_GLS&Year=2003&Make=HYUNDAI 2003

and autozone has pictures of the actual part
http://www.autozone.com/N,16100117/shopping/partTypeResultSet.htm

i notice that 2003 and 2004 have part#13565 but only 2003 has part#15646 which is the one that was in my car