2004 o2 sensor locations

[bikeman732]

Garage just did my 60,000 mi service on my '04 Taurus SE and said the check engine code is for o2 sensor , bank 1, sensor 1, needs to be replaced. They want $250 to change it and I am thinking I can do this myself.
Anyone here know where to locate this sensor on the car? Also do I need special tools or is there anything I should know prior to changing it. Any help is appreciated!

[shorod]

Bank 1 on yoru Taurus will be the bank nearest the firewall. Sensor 1 will be the sensor in the exhaust manifold before the catalyst. Many times a special oxygen sensor socket will make the task easier, especially when installing the new sensor as it has a slot to allow the wire to fit through.

On a 2004 with 60k miles and a code for an O2 sensor, one thing to know is that there is probably some other issue causing the sensor to fail so soon, if your problem really is the sensor. If you just replace the sensor, there is a chance that you may be doing it again in a few miles if you don't fix what caused the sensor to fail.

-Rod

[Huney1]

$250.00 ? ? ? Can you say RIP-OFF? WHEW!
Mine's an 03 Vulcan 50K mi and I changed the bank 1 one sensor 1 in FIFTEEN minutes. Rod is on target here; "Sensor 1 will be the sensor in the exhaust manifold before the catalyst".
Look on the left behind the engine and the sensor sticks up out of the exhaust manifold like a sore thumb, sort'a looks like a bug spark plug with a wire coming out the top. I bought a Bosch sensor at Advance Auto for like $40. and gave them a $15. deposit to use the special wrench made just for changing sensors. (You get the deposit back when you take the tool back.) Let the engine cool and the rest is self-explainatory total piece of cake to change that puppy.

Do it yourself, save your hard earned money and take the wife out for Pizza and a few Brewskis.

Rod is correct and other things could cause the light. but I figured I'd change it and if the light didn't come back on I had it whipped.

[austin4913]

I have changed mine before as well. Pretty easy job with the right tool. It was fairly tough to get off but was easy after that. My problem ended up being a clogged catalytic converter. Got an aftermarket one for about $250.00 which was good compared to the $600.00 for a "Ford" certified one. Good luck.

[bikeman732]

Hey, thanks , I am going to do it today. My mechanic did say if we don't change it soon it will ruin the Cat. converter, so I am hoping I am not too late. The engine does stumble a little at idle when cold so I hope that is a related problem and will smooth out.
Rick

[shorod]

Pay attention to what the sensors look like when you remove them. If they are coated with black chalky exhaust, you probably have some other issue that is causing the codes and O2 sensors to fail. Again, I would not expect the O2 sensors to fail normally on a 2004 after 60k miles. Especially since most of those mile sare likely highway miles (that's more than the 12k average miles per year).

-Rod

[MyTaurus8AChevy]

Originally Posted by bikeman732

The engine does stumble a little at idle when cold so I hope that is a related problem and will smooth out.

If it doesn't then clean the MAFS sensor. Search this forum for many threads talking about how to do this Our '04 used to stumble, and now that we cleaned it the car purrs like a kitten Better gas milage too

[bikeman732]

I have now replaced the sensor and still have the check engine light on. Do I need to reset the light ? If so how can I do that?
Thanks for the tip on the MAF sensor. I am going to try that too.
Rick

[Huney1]

On my lunch break in a hurry.

Take the NEGATIVE battery terminal loose for 15 minutes then hook it up and rock on. Will give more info this evening but that's the basic how to reset check engine light. Definitely get the MAFS cleaned and the new PCV valve AND GROMMET.

[MyTaurus8AChevy]

Originally Posted by bikeman732

Do I need to reset the light ? If so how can I do that?

Our '04 manual states that you don't need to do anything. It will reset itself after you buy a few tanks of gas. Also, if you have the Duratec engine you won't have (need) a PVC. If it's a SE then I don't think the Duratec was an option so you should have one.

[Huney1]

Burning a few tanks of gas might take awhile. Take the NEGATIVE battery terminal loose for 15 minutes then hook it up and that way you get instant gratification. Like, BAM! The light goes out and it resets the computer to a brand new fresh start just like it came from the factory.
If it has a PCV valve get a new one and a new grommet. I say IF because it might not have one. Clean the MAFS to. That's what I did to my Vulcan six months ago and cured the light and runs great.

Past my beddie bye time so g'nite, sleep tite and don't let the bed bugs bite. Zzzzz. . . .

[MyTaurus8AChevy]

Just for the record removing the negative battery cable did not work on our '04 (it worked when we did tranny work and needed to reset the computer, but not for the MAFS, and yes it sat overnight). Everytime we clean the MAFS without fail the light comes on, and the only way that it goes off, and stays off, is by fiddling with the gas cap (simulating putting gas in). I think it senses pressure over a certain period of time. It usually takes us 2-3 days for the light to go off, not months

[Huney1]

"Just for the record removing the negative battery cable did not work on our '04." You weren't holding your mouth right.

Mine was idling erratic then I cleaned the MAFS 5K miles after I replaced the O2 sensor and the light never came on. Dumped a few cans of WallyWorld's finest injector cleaner in the tank and that puppy runs like a striped Ape. Gas went down to $2.75 here so I romp on it pretty regular now.

Varoom Varoom! I love sitting at the stop light and some jive squirrel next to me and I hold the brake and mash the gas and light changes and Bull Taurus is gone bye bye. Really tightens their jaws, especially when there's a cute little honey riding shot gun, so next light I hold the brake again and when it changes I just idle away and it makes them double ticked off.

[MyTaurus8AChevy]

Originally Posted by Huney1

Dumped a few cans of WallyWorld's finest injector cleaner in the tank and that puppy runs like a striped Ape.

Seafoam works great too

[Huney1]

Originally Posted by MyTaurus8AChevy

Seafoam works great too

Come to think of it, I got some at Advance and dumped it in to. An old retired Dude had ours with 38K mi on it and it needed a good cleaning out. Nary a scratch on it and he was fanatical about maintenance and had everything done but get on the hwy and blow it out good. They were from up North so made a few trips on I-95 moving to SC so it saw some road miles to.

Got'ta go put my Hickory hunks in water to soak so they won't brun up to fast when I start barbqueing them-thar good ole baby back ribs.
Happy 4th of July and GOD BLESS AMERICA!

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