how do i replace the o2 sensor on my 97 wrangler?

Question

is it difficult to locate this part?
how much would the cost be if i did this myself based on bringing it to a mechanic?

Answer 1

O2 sensors are easy to locate and replace. Look at the headers (the pipes that attach your engine block to the exhaust system). Somewhere along them you will see device about the size of a tube of life-saver's candy that is screwed into the pipe. This is an O2 sensor. Most cars these days have at least two (one per side) and sometimes four. Go to the local Auto Zone and have them plug in the diagnostic box and they will be able to tell you which one is bad.

Replacing it is just a matter of unscrewing and unplugging the old one and putting a new one in. On some cars they are positioned so that it is hard to get a traditional wrench in there. There is a special tool that Auto Zone rents to remove the sensor on such vehicles. However, on my Jeep Grand Cherokee there was plenty of room to work without special tools.

Depending on your vehicle a new O2 sensor will cost anywhere from $20 to $60. Quite a bit cheaper than the $300 a mechanic will charge you for driving into his shop.

Other helpful hints. Let the car cool before working on it so as not to burn yourself on the very hot exhaust system. However, if the sensor is in really tight you might want to run the car for just a couple of minutes to heat up the pipes enough so they will expand and make it easier to get the sensor out.

Answer 2

If it's a one wire lead to the 02 sensor its cheap to buy the part (under $25.00) but if it has 2 wire leads it runs up to $65.00 for the sensor. It is usually located on the the exhaust pipe between the motor and the crossover. It resembles a spark plug in its outline with the wire(s) coming out of the top of it. It's easy to do, the hardest part being getting it loose. You just unplug the wires at the connector which is near the sensor itself. Then, using a box or open ended wrench, unscrew it from the exhaust pipe, put a little anti sieze on the threads of the new one and screw it back in and reconnect the wires. Sometimes you have to get a long breaker bar to get the old sensor to come loose. That's the hardest part (make sure there is room for the breaker bar before you start the project).
Labor from shops runs around $90.00 per hour and they are probably gonna charge you an hour minimum, plus the part (which is gonna cost more from them then a parts store).

Answer 3

that sensor is reading the exhaust casses--it is located in the exhaust system before the catalytic convertor--in the exhaist pipe itself. The job is best left to a pro because the sensor can often need a special wrench--and the pipe has to be cold to remove the sensor---and if the threaded hole gets cross threaded you will never get it set in properly. AND if you do any of it wrong or break the sensor--your computer will not get the proper reading and your service engine light will come on until it is fixed properly. ...not to mention the performance will be less than adequate with a sensor that is not operating properly. A sensor can be over 100 dollars--not the price to apy for something so easily broken

Answer 4

Its kinda like changing a spark plug. It's located on your exhaust pipe near the engine. THe hardest part is getting it to unscrew because the heat from the exhaust "galls" it in place. I suggest spraying it down with PB Blaster or the equivalent a few times first. All you have to do is remove the wire, unscrew the old one, screw the new one in and reattach wire. They do make a special socket to make the job go easier...you can get one at the auto store where you buy the o2 sensor. Good luck

Answer 5

Any auto parts store clerk should be able to tell you where the sensor is located. I never changed one in a wrangler but I have changed that sensor in an escort, cavalier, and century. They are usually screw-ins or pop-ins. As long as you can easily reach the sensor, it shouldn't be difficult. It would be much cheaper to do this yourself. A garage will charge you for the part and then overcharge you for the labor.

Answer 6

Well its easy to find on the exhaust pipe, you will see the wires trailing to it.
Sometimes they can be hard to remove but you can get a removeal tool that will make it much easier do it yourself it takes around five minutes way cheaper than getting somone to do it.

Answer 7

you don't need it