Posted: 6/10/2012 6:20:39 PM EDT
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Possibly a rookie question; but here it goes. My check engine light came on a little while back and the code read at Auto Zone came back as an O2 sensor issue. I have an '04 Escape and according to the book I have a total of 4 O2 sensors. Based on the code(P0136) by a Google search it is a downstream O2 sensor, so I am wondering if there is a way to know which one it is or if I have to pick one and hope I pick the right one? ~And if I have no options but to pick one, if I pick incorrectly can I put the good old O2 sensor back on and switch out the new one to what would presumably be the bad one or will taking it off forever screw it up? |
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It may not be a sensor at all. All the code tells you is that the sensor is picking up a wonky signal. Now is this signal due to a bad sensor? Or something else telling the sensor to send this code? Example, an exhaust leak can allow air to suck into the pipe, triggering that sensor to read a lean code. Way too lean, forcing the injectors to pump way more fuel than is needed.
Keep in mind, auto parts stores read codes to sell you parts, not to fix your car. You need to do some careful research if you are going to take this on yourself if you don't want to spend a butt load of cash to only find you cannot repair the car with just parts swapping. |
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You could trying swapping your right/left rear sensors(assuming it's the same part # for both sides). Scan it again to see if the trouble code switches banks. If so, then it looks like you have a bad O2 sensor.
If swapping sensors doesn't change anything and it still only reads the one same code then you probably have a bad catalytic converter. |
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Quoted:
You could trying swapping your right/left rear sensors(assuming it's the same part # for both sides). Scan it again to see if the trouble code switches banks. If so, then it looks like you have a bad O2 sensor. If swapping sensors doesn't change anything and it still only reads the one same code then you probably have a bad catalytic converter. Good idea. Just don't forget anti-seize on the threads. |