i have a 2002 toyota corolla and the check engine light appeared so i brought to autozone and they told me the oxygen sensor was the problem the light was showing.is this part a must repair because its like 185 bucks and if i can get away with holding off on it i would like to any advice out there?
2007-08-18 04:34:25 · 12 answers · asked by eddy k 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Toyota
Dont pay to have it installed. Buy it online and put it in yourself. Its easy.
2007-08-20 11:55:43 · answer #1 · answered by Mike Rathbourne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The oxygen sensor input to the computer tells the computer how well the gas is being burned. If the reading is off the computer will change the settings to try to bring things back into spec. When it can no longer correct the readings the check engine light comes to let you know something is wrong. With a bad sensor your car could be running rich, which means your gas usage will increse costing you more bucks at the pump. Or, depending on which way the sensor goes, the car could be running lean which could, over time, cause damage to the engine. If you're in a state or area where emission tests are required on an annual basis, it will NOT pass inspection, and you won't be allowed to drive without repairing it. At any rate the repair, in the long run,will save you money.
2016-05-22 02:26:15 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The oxygen sensor tells the computer how rich or lean the engine is running. If it is not working the computer will have to guess how much gas your engine needs and because to lean can cause the valves to get to hot and melt and cause the engine to stumble or stall it is programed to guess a little on the rich side. This will cause the gas mileage to drop and the excess fuel in the exhaust will eventually damage the catalytic converter. The sensor just screws into the exhaust and looks kind of like a spark plug with a sire attached to it. your car has at least 2 oxygen sensors so be sure you know which one is bad. Auto zone could re check the computer and tell you which one it is.
2007-08-18 06:43:19 · answer #3 · answered by Mark G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i had a Honda Civic with the same problem. The problem is if you live in a state that does emissions inspections the failed oxygen sensor will fail you on the inspection. If not then your car will start to use more fuel than it normally would and it will not run as effecient. I recommend getting it fixed. Maintence does save you money on repairs later. It is not going to damage your car, but the money your wasting on an inefficient car is a waste.
2007-08-18 04:41:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is important to change the oxygen sensor. If you don't, best case is that you will pay more for fuel as one input for fuel mixture control will be missing. (You will also pollute more with a normally low-polluting vehicle.)
Worst case, you may have to put a new catalytic converter in. It will cost more than $185. I'd recommend changing the O2 sensor as soon as you can. (The O2 sensor has similar duty to a spark plug. It is exposed to the exhaust gases and heat.)
2007-08-18 06:27:52 · answer #5 · answered by Cheryl W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A faulty oxygen sensor means your car is burning too much gas, polluting the air, and it wont pass a smog test. This part is very easy to replace.Go to your local library and check out an automotive repair manuel for your particular vehicle and you will save a lot of money doing it your self.
2007-08-18 04:46:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
While I hate the fact that the parts industry is making a killing overcharging us on such a small part, you have to buy it. Your mpg has already started dropping and you won't pass smog without it. Look at it this way; forgoing the inevitable is going to cost you a lot more at the pump and you'll still have to have it replaced. Don't buy a used one from the junkyard. Buy it new. The used one WILL fail on you eventually and you'll be stuck spending the dough on a new one anyway.
2007-08-18 06:20:31 · answer #7 · answered by Terrence B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A broken oxygen sensor will keep you from optimizing the engine/oxygen mix. It will cause excess emissions and may decrease your gas mileage. If you have to get an annual emission check you will probably fail.
2007-08-18 04:45:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, heres the deal.. (I have the same prob w/ my 2000 Toyota 4Runner)... it's not harmful to not get it fixed. So in that respect, it doesn't matter.
BUT.. it won't pass safety/immisions testing in order to register/renew plates.... and here in utah, you have to do it yearly.... so... luckily we had someone who fudged it for us this year.. but we gotta fix it by next testing..
So, nah, it won't hurt your car.. but you'll eventually need to fix it unless you can find a crooked tester...apparently this is a common problem for Toyotas.
2007-08-18 04:41:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nah come on guys its not a big deal. as long as there arent emissions checks in your area its fine. you will just have to deal with the engine light being on.
2007-08-18 08:29:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It'll foul up your fuel efficiency/performance since it reports directly to your car's 'brain'. Check the junkyards-you might save well over $100.
2007-08-18 04:45:19 · answer #11 · answered by omnisource 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋