ever since i replaced plugs and wires, i've had an SES light. i had removed my y-pipe during that tuneup for accessability reasons and therefore unhooked my o2's. well, the SES light has finally got on my nerves and i got it scanned. it is coming up as Heater Circuit malfunction, First Bank, Second Sensor. they told me this would be the second sensor on the first bank (i don't know what this means?). also they said i could have knocked some carbon loose on the sensor or could have a short in the wiring, or bad ground. in other words he was telling me it is possible it's not the sensor itself. so what should i do? these sensors are like $65 a piece and i already replaced one last week (the wrong one)!
it's not a huge deal, the car runs no different but i can't stand having something "wrong" with my car. if it runs fine and still throws a code, i've got to trace it down!
what do you guys suggest? replace the sensor?...or is there some way to check the wiring?
thanks,
Michael.

 

Bank 1, sensor 2 is the after cat sensor on the driver's side. Check to make sure that it is plugged in well and that you did not burn or break any of the wires.

 

my garage is occupied for the next few days but i will certainly check that. just out of curiousity, what do i do if my wires are burnt or broke? i'm very intimidated by wires.

 

If you can, swap the two after cat sensors, side-to-side. Clear the codes out of the PCM by pulling the "PCM BAT" fuse for 30 seconds, ignition off. Then, assuming the SES light returns, have it scanned again. If you get the same code for the same sensor (Bank 1 Sensor 2), the wiring is at fault. If the problem moves to the other side and you get the code for Bank 2 Sensor 2, you know it is a sensor problem.

Then if you need a sensor, do NOT pay $65 for it... only suckers pay list price at the dealer. Get the info for Jason Cromer or Dal Slabaugh and buy genuine GM parts for about 50% of list.