Shift Solenoid and O2 Sensor '97 Metro

I posted before about my stereo problems well i havent had any troubles with lately but last week my service engine soon light came on. I went to Advanced Auto Parts and the codes said something about my shift solenoid and O2 sensor. I called around and found out that the 02 sensor replacement is going to cost be about $500 because the parst is so expensive. The part alone is $378. Now i havent taken it to the transmission shop yet i plan to do that tomorrow to get it tested. I think im going to take it to Cottmans. But anyway has anyone had a problem with their transmission shift? How much was the replacement? Replacing the 02 sensor just seems outrageous to me being i paid $900 for the car. And if i get both things done thats about what i paid for the car. Also my service engine soon light when off. Is that normal?

Hello Ms. Alisha,

I hope the prices you quoted for the O2 sensor was not in USD. I quickly looked up N.A.P.A. and found that you could purchase both the upstream and downstream O2 sensors for under $200 USD combined. Labor to change both sensors should not exceed .5hrs for the mechanic. As for the transmission solenoid, that can be purchased from a large transmission warehouse here in Portland for much less.

I would treat the shop that gave you the quote with great suspicion.

Ciao,
Blake

Hi Blake,
These prices were quoted from Meineke, Firestone, and the Chevrolet Dealership. Im not really familiar with cars so im not even sure where to look for the parts at. Tomorrow i'll get a better quote for the transmission once we hook it up to the machine. So im really confused with the whole price thing. I was told by chevrolet that the 02 sensor prices for the Metro are high. But i will try and shop around some more. My dad said he replaced his 02 sensor for much less in his Maxima at the Nissan dealership. Where do you suggest i look for the part at?

The O2 sensors are about 30 bucks at Autozone or Schucks.

About your transmission and shifting - unfortuantely shifting problems could be a result of many things and will require some diagnosis based on the symptoms. Even a shift solenoid code does not necessarily mean a problem with the solenoid. There are two kinds of solenoid codes - electrical or performance. An electrical code could be caused by a poor connection or a faulty solenoid or ECM whereas a performance code could be caused either by the solenoid or something else in the tranny that the ECM interprets as a solenoid problem.

If it is actually the solenoid a new one costs between $60 - $90 but installing it is not too difficult as it can be done from below once the transmission fluid pan is removed.

Good luck and make sure you also get multiple quotes from various transmission places and verify that the diagnosis is consistent (for obvious reasons).

The price they quoted you is high, but not as high as is being implied, my 95 the o2 sensor ran between 60 and 80 dollars, i suspect it is similar for the 97. 30 dollars sounds like the early 90's version price. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.

About the O2 sensor, I was quoted $522.75 Cnd for a 4 wire O2 sensor...(for California emissions) A 3 wire O2 is $165 and a single wire O2 is $42
My thread (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=3702975#post3702975)

So if you where quoted $378us, I would assume you have the 4 wire one as well...

I will be going to the wrecking yard to hopefully find one, other wise I will be finding a way to mod the car to accept a single wire O2 sensor.

Hope this helps a little...

Cheers,
Mogal