Hi:
I have a 2003 Sienna with 99K kms. Recently, I had gone on a trip for 3 weeks. I left the gas tank almost full to prevent condensation and disconnected the -ve battery terminal to conserve the battery power. After coming back and driving the van, on the 2nd trip the check engine light came on. I got it scanned with an OBD2 scanner and got a P0136 (O2 sensor circuit malfunction Bank #1 Sensor #2). I've noticed that the gas consumption has increased significantly after this light has come on.
It seems that in almost all cases, the only resolution is to change the sensor.
I have a couple of questions:
- Is there a chance that some condensation/moisture due to not driving the van for 3 weeks may have caused this MIL light to come on "temporarily" and caused this code?
- Has anyone had success after clearing the code using the scanner tool and the light not coming back on? Can the code be cleared by disconnecting the -ve battery terminal?
- I spoke to the service manager of the dealership where I bought this van. He suggested that I should clear the code once and use a fuel system cleaner. He told me that this is the first step they do is to clear the code as it may be a temporary thing. I've added a bottle of "Fuel System Cleaner" to a full tank of gas. Would that help in cleaning the O2 sensor and maybe solve the issue? I'm thinking of driving for half a tank and then clearing the code so that the fuel system cleaner has taken some effect. If the MIL light still comes on with the same code, then I know for sure that I need to replace this thing.
- I understand that the connector for this sensor is under the front passenger seat. I've read in one of the threads that it can be accessed without removing the seat. Can someone please tell me where exactly would this connector be? And if the need be, how do I remove the seat to access it?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers.
AJ.