P0141 O2 Oxygen sensor connector location (pics, 56k watch out)

[Soilent Green]

So I proceeded to remove the front passenger seat and carpet, and found no connector, just a wire with pink stripes (visible on the pic) that goes across, but no connector like my Haynes Manual states. Where IS that thing? Is that the O2 sensor cable? I looked under the vinyl flap :not there.

I found a dollar under the carpet though.

[Mike Gerber]

If you are looking for the connector for the rear O2 sensor on a 4 cylinder 5SFE engine, it's under the driver's seat. You don't have to remove the seat. Just pull back the carpeting for the cutout for the heat for the back seat passengers and you will see it. Even the Toyota Factory Service Manual is wrong on the location. It too says it under the passenger seat. I spent $208 for that thing, when my 98 was brand new. This was before it was available to download for free on this site. I went to the local Toyota dealer and asked one of the techs and he showed me where it was. I was not very happy with Toyota at that point.

Mike

[Soilent Green]

Driver Seat!? $&*!!/#!!!

Seeya next weekend

[Soilent Green]

I checked today and did see the connector, but I'd still like to remove the seat for easier access and maybe write a D.I.Y. on the subject.

Can I just unplug the seat wire and remove it without creating a problem with the seatbelt safety measures?

[RIP]

The bright side? At least you'll have another chance to find a dollar. I see Haynes doesn't have a monopoly on screwed up manuals. What ever happened to proof reading before publication?

[Mike Gerber]

I wouldn't remove the seat. My 98 had side air bags in the seats, so I didn't want to fool with that. It is really easy to get at it without removing the seat. There is some play to the connector. All you have to do is to disconnect the connector.

I would also recommend tying a long piece of wire or twine around the connector on the O2 sensor side before pulling it through to the underside of the car. That way when you remove the O2 sensor from it's bung, you just tie the new sensor's wiring to that piece of wire and pull it back up in to the car. If you don't do this, it will be a real PITA to feed that new wiring back up in to the car. Also, spray the O2 sensor's threads down for a couple of days with some PB Blaster or other good penetrating oil; don't just use WD-40 for this application. It won't do the job.

Mike

[RIP]

Heating up the exhaust before removing O2 sensors helps ease removal.

[Brian R.]

Don't forget on the Japanese cars, the sensor connector would be under the passenger seat with right-hand drive. I bet who ever wrote the manual forgot to switch the description for the US market.