o2 sensor help?

Question

the issue:
my check engine light comes on, usually after i fill my car up with gas. it will usually go off in the next day or so (before i have a chance to get to a mechanic). it doesn't come on if i TIGHTLY close the gas cap.

the light also comes on after it rains. i've noticed this at least 2 times.

the dealership said that it probably isn't the o2 sensor, sometimes that just happens if you don't close the cap tightly enough on the cap after getting gas (this was during a telephone consult...autozone checked it and found nothing wrong).

i also have a catalytic converter that has been replaced several times and still smells bad on occasion.

the car is a 2002 acura rsx with approximately 65,000 miles on it.

is the o2 sensor bad? and if it were, is it bad to be driving around with a bad o2 sensor? i have no idea what the even do. measure the level of oxygen in my gas... but is that going to cause an issue?

Answer 1

It is a bad O2 sensor - I ran my old car with it flashing for 2 years because I was broke and couldn't afford to fix it - but it was a clunker that I did not want to invest the money in.

The result will be your car will run to rich or to lean - it will smell a bit here and there - and since your car does not have that many miles on it, I would go ahead and put the money in to it to get fixed.

Answer 2

Seems unlikely that the o2 sensor would go bad after only 65K miles. They measure the fuel/air ratio and output a signal to the computer that makes adjustments to ratio. Some vehicles have more than one. You don't want to change it unless it's bad--they're usually pricey.
Why don't you call Car Talk tomorrow morning? I'm sure Click and Clack could help you.

Answer 3

Did you try asking anyone if there is a switch or button you could press/flip to reset the sensor??