'02 Galant O2 sensor?

I'd rather know what the code was before making a call, but changing the O2 is not hard. If you have a V6, you have two of them. One for each head. Changing them is really pretty easy on jack stands. You just need a 5 buck O2 sensor socket and a good breaker bar. For a V6, 200 for both sensors is quite reasonable.

My problem with this whole thing is that I can't believe a 4 year old sensor has gone bad...and it is actually throwing a code for it. The O2 has to be really dead to throw a code. Go to Autozone and pull the code for free...then report back.

That's interesting. The car's running fine, so maybe it's not a crapped out O2 after all. Good suggestion on the Autozone.

I'll get the code, and let you know what I find.

Thanks.

~d. jettster

So here's what I found...

Fault Code: P0135. Autozone's analysis: "The PCM has determined that a malfunction exists in the heater circuit for oxygen sensor 1 in bank 1. (Oxygen sensor 1 is closest to the cylinder head before the catalytic converter, while oxygen sensors 2 & 3 are located further downstream and are typically mounted in or after the catalytic converter)."

Thoughts?

Thanks again,

~d. jettster

That's means the car isn't going into closed loop fast enough for the ECU's liking. The O2 has to be hot to start reading and it isn't getting hot fast enough (they have a heater for that). That means replacing the O2 because the heater is built-in.

The car should run fine regardless of the O2. It will use air flow, coolant temp, etc...for fuel control. Plus, once the exhaust is hot, the o2 will start working like it should. I'd replace it myself...but I've done it several times. I'd say it would be worth a try if you are slightly mechanically inclined.

You've been a tremendous help. I think I'm gonna "give it a go" myself.

Autozone quoted me a price of $59 for a Universal o2 sensor, and $106 for the OE. Either way, it pales next to the $300 Firestone wanted.

Thanks again.

~d. jettster