Hey what's up 2 all! My CEL came on a bit back, I had it scanned & it was either the cat converter, or it's sensor. 3 days ago, it just went out, I was driving along & noticed that it wasn't on any more.
This leads me to believe that it is the downstream sensor. I would think that if the cat itself is bad, it can only get worse, but the sensor could be working intermittently. Mileage is only @ 87,720. What'cha all think?
What I could use help with is: how hard is this sensor to change? Will it be rusted/stuck/corroded, making it tough to get out (like a lot of older exhaust this's & thats? Does it take a special socket to remove it?
Thanks for reading this. Please let me know if you have changed this sensor before, & give me some advice. :help:
Thanks-Ric
Dodgevanman
11-19-2004, 06:20 PM
The O2 sensor isn't too hard to change. Make sure the exhaust is cool and spray some WD-40 on the threads and let it soak in for a few minutes. Disconnect the wires and slide the closed end of the appropriate sized wrench onto the hex. If it doesn't move with a fair amount of force than the area will need to heated with a small torch or something....don't round the hex. They do make a socket for O2 sensors that has a slot up the side for the wire, but it's not necessary. Put some anti-seize compound on the threads of the new O2 sensor and your set.
1badredbird
11-20-2004, 06:14 PM
Thanks vanman, do you think that the sensor is my problem, and should I wait for the CEL to come on again before changing it, cause, as you know, they don't just give them away?
Nice van! 'bout 25, or more, years ago, a bud of mine had one similar to yours, it had the shifter(Auto) on the dash, 318, it ran fairly hard, he got every pony he could out of it. He surprized a few cars that he raced! If he could have got some headers, an intake&4BBL, that really would have woke that up, put headers were, and probably still now are out of the ? for a van like that. Ric
Dodgevanman
11-22-2004, 10:31 PM
Eventhough the light went out the code is still stored in the computer. The converter is a mechanical item and won't directly throw a light on. If the conveter is clogged you will definitely feel a power loss and it will affect other monitoring systems for the engine.
Did the code scanner say which sensor could be the problem? Is there more than one O2 sensor on that car?
That van was a buddy of mine's...I helped him restore it. It has a 318 2bbl., auto on the dash. It also has factory cargo doors on the left side as well. He sold it to a young man in New York about a month ago. Kid was very happy.
I've had several A-100 vans and one A-100 pickup.
1badredbird
11-27-2004, 05:57 PM
Vanman, the light is still out, & the car runs pretty darn hard (it pulls the st. wheel to the left when I lift/shift it into 2nd gear. BUT, I get only 10 to 12 miles per gallon! That can't be even close to right, can it? I sold my 96-4.6 L-V 8 Mustang that got 33 MPG on the Hi-way, & about 25 in town-No kidding, that is awesome mileage for any V8, and I'm not making up a story here, honestly, 33 MPG on the Hi-way!
I'm not sure if I have 1 or 2 Sensors, it's a 96 Cirrus, 2.4 DOHC, Auto.
Thanks Vanman! 'bird
LB3711
11-27-2004, 11:33 PM
um does the light work? maybe the PCM is dead? in limp mode?
