O2 Sensor? Check Engin Light On

[Planck2]

Hello all I am new member of this forum.

2000 Camry V6 XLE, has 57000 mile. I got it used. I had sludge in the engine and local dealer cleaned ( they actually opened the engine) it under Toyota warrenty. But now The check engine light came on. I took it back to them since it wasn't there before. They said it is o2 sensor and gave me an estimate $300 ( &150 parts +$150 labor)

Is it possible for me to change it? Only thing I have ever done on a car is changing oil, spark plugs. If any one could give suggestion, detailed links and stuff that would be very helpfull. I did look at http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h37.pdf but I am not sure exactly where it is located. Some picture thing would help as well if you recommend me to change it by my self.

What is EFI fuse? where is it located?

There is one more problem, the car came with wheel lock or lug nut lock. I do not have the key nor the dealership people. They refuse to do anything about it since the car has been sold already now.

Thanks in advance.

[Planck2]

I found the location where the o2 sensor is. It is under the hood in the front of my engine. It looks like a manifold that is attached to the engine with 3 built in pipe inside and on the side it has a sensor which is supposed to be the o2 sensor. I am assuming there is one more for the other 3 piston? or is it just 1 sensor?

[Brian R.]

There are two exhaust manifold sensors and one cat converter sensor, just like in the drawing.

Look carefully in the trunk and the compartment where the jack is located. Many times, people just leave the key for the lug nuts by the jack or in a compartment in the trunk where the spare is.

[Chapol]

Say, that's great information. Do you think the O2 sensors are in the same location on a '90 Camry and 99 Lexus, both V6?

A brochure by Bosch in the auto parts store says you should change the O2 sensors every year; what would you expect? But I also understand the sensors can run from $100 to $200 a piece.

[smarisetty]

Hi,

I did have the dealer change value seals, which is perhaps related to the engine sludge. I now have the check engine light on.

Any suggestions.

[Mike Gerber]

smarisetty,

Check under the hood for any electrical connectors the tech may have left loose after completing the job. Many times these are removed to gain access to certain areas and are overlooked when reassembling everything.

Also, if you have Autozone in your area and if your car is OBD2 (1996 or newer) go there and ask them to check what code is coming up. They do this for free. It will also help in determining what system the DTC (diagnostic trouble code) is in and gives you a place to start looking. The most common reason a check engine light comes on is for a defective O2 sensor, but there are several of them in cars today and you need to read the code to know which one is causing the problem and it also could be other problems, so get the code read first.


Mike