Another 99 SL2 OBD II code

[geekgoddess]

My "Service Engine Soon" light came on Monday, I took it to Autozone on Tuesday and had them pull the codes. I got a P0133 "Upstream oxygen sensor response slower than minimum required switching frequency"

My questions are:

1) What exactly does that mean in English?
2) Can it be easily/inexpensively fixed by a DIYer?
3) If so, how?
4) Anyone got a ballpark figure on how far I can go / how long I can put off fixing it?
5) Anyone got a price range for how much repairs will cost, both on a DIY scale, and a "Pro" scale?

Thank you in advance for any and all help/advice.

Red

[Cat Fuzz]

An O2 sensor, when operating properly, generates a voltage that flunctuates up and down within a certain range to tell the computer to adjust the air/fuel ratio from rich to lean, lean to rich, back and forth, constantly. The O2 sensor mentioned in the code description is not responding properly. You probably need to replace it. BTW, it would be the o2 sensor closest to the engine.

You can put off fixing it but performance and fuel mileage will likely suffer as well as emissions. O2 sensors are usually pretty easy to replace, if your careful. If you have a basic socket set, you can buy an O2 sensor socket to go with it. If you decide to do it yourself, use anti-seize lubricant on the threads of the new O2 sensor, but make sure the stuff doesn't get on the tip. Keep it on the threads and don't use too much.

[saturnspeed_12]

you can also just use a 7/8 wrench. its a simple replacement

[Cat Fuzz]

Originally Posted by saturnspeed_12

you can also just use a 7/8 wrench. its a simple replacement

Ok, I wasn't sure if you could use standard tools. Thought I'd play it safe by just telling them to use a sensor socket

[saturnspeed_12]

i normally always use the wrench, unless i have to use the socket

[geekgoddess]

OK, cool. I was wondering about the time frame and cost because I'm about to move at the end of the month and already have a really tight moving budget and don't know when I'll get my next paycheck after the move. *change is good, change is good, change is good*

In looking up the parts, it has a listing for a sensor before the catalytic converter, or after the converter. Am I correcting in assuming it's the one after the converter?

[saturnspeed_12]

no its the one before the cat. repair wise, should take about 2 mins.for the part, depends on where you get it. i recommend getting the original ac delco part, but if in a pinch you can get a bosch one. sometimes the ac delco wont be much more, but in my case i use to get original equipment parts below cheap aftermarket.

[sierrap615]

also wait over night for the engine to cool,and have a can of PB Blaster ready if you need it. the O2 sensor socket is nice to use, but not needed unless torquing to spec(or a crowsfoot can be use with doing a little math, but i doubt you have one of those ether)

[saturnspeed_12]

yeah but normally the o2 sensors, at least the front, are easy to loosen. now the rear ones can be something else sometimes.