My car threw an o2 sensor code, but there are no symptoms of this.I pulled em both and wiped the ends off then unpugged the battery for 10 minutes. I cant get the ses light to go away, so is there anyway to clear the code without a scan tool?

 

Chances are if you are still seeing the code that the O2's are bad. But to clear codes your options are: unbolt battery for 15min, pull pcm fuse, or use scanner

Ryan

 

Thanks for the reply. I hope my o2s really arent going bad, cause that would be my third set in three months.

 

If the SES light is still there, the problem is still there. The way to make it go out is to identify the problem and fix it.

What was the specific code you got when you scanned it. Not all "O2 sensor problems" are due to a faulty O2 sensor. And, the part you wiped off is simply a "shield" for the sensor membrane, which is inside the shield. Its not likely wiping it off would fix it.

 

The guy that scanned said it showed up as a faulty o2 sensor code. But he didnt give me the specific code number.

 

Get the exact number for the code... could be at least 3 different causes, including a blown fuse for the heater circuit, wiring problems, etc. Was he at least able to tell you whether it was a pre-cat or after-cat sensor, and which side it was on? Which sensors did you wipe off?

 

He told me it was precat.His scanner didnt tell which side, or he didnt know because all he said was that it was a front o2. I wiped off the tips where it gets the black dustlike stuff on it. I forgot to add in the original post that the code occurred shortly after using a fuel injector cleanor.The kind you add to the gas tank.

 

You really do need to get the exact code number. If you have an Autozone nearby, have them pull the code for you.

 

You should also take a few minutes and trace back the wires to be sure you don't have any damage that allows the wire(s) to ground whenever they move too close to a metal part.

It's probably NOT a damaged wire, because they do design them to tolerate the sort of abuse they will see in that location, but if it IS a damaged wire, the problem can hide from you from a maddeningly long time. I speak from long and depressing experience here... I have begun to believe that my mere presence causes wires to disintegrate.

 

All scanners identify the "bank" of the engine that the code is coming from... its part of the code definition.

I'll try one more time... wiping the "tips' of the sensors doesn't remove contamination. The sensor is inside the metal "tip".... note the presence of slits to allow the exhaust gas (and any contaminants) to enter the housing.

 

Ill try to get him to scan it again and then Ill write down the exact code.